What Jesus Did After Bad News

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:6-12)

John wasn’t just a prophet to Jesus; he was also His cousin, a man who had known Jesus since they were both babies. John baptized Jesus, and Jesus Himself said John was the greatest man ever born. When Jesus heard the news about John, you know He felt grief, loss, and deep human hurt. Jesus was one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man. He walked the earth as a man anointed by the Holy Ghost, which means He knows what it is like to feel pain. Matthew records that the next thing Jesus did was go to a “desert” place apart. The Greek word for desert, eremos, means lonely, quiet, uninhabited, solitary, and wilderness. Jesus intentionally went to a place without people where He could be alone with God. Human pain calls us to re-center ourselves through time alone with God.

When the people found Him, He didn’t run away or yell at them for having needs, even though He was hurting. He could have said “not today” or “don’t you know that I’m grieving?” Instead, the Scripture says He was moved with compassion.

One of the most powerful ways to break the darkness you feel in a moment is to serve someone around you. When you feel depressed, find someone to pray for. When you feel lonely, take time to encourage someone else. Life will bring difficulties, trials, and challenges. But the righteous are called to change the atmosphere through acts of faith that bless others even when we feel burdened in the moment.

Practical Application

When you feel overwhelmed, spend time alone with God, and also make room for God to use your compassion to help others.

Acts 8:2; Matthew 21:32