CROCODILE TEARS

Seeker: Saying No to My Way & Yes to Following Jesus (30 Days in Matthew) - Day 16

Recently, I was watching a talent show on television where a singer auditioned for the judges, but was not selected to participate in the contest. The rejected performer was accompanied by a “friend” who claimed to be there in support of her endeavor, but then a shocking turn of events took place. The gal pushed her way forward past her disappointed friend and asked if she could audition herself. She wiped away the crocodile tears she’d just shed and suddenly belted out a song like she was on Broadway. Her insincere sympathy was obvious.

The “look at me” philosophy of this world leaves little room for compassion, but this is what Christ emulated for us. Our Savior was moved when He saw a need. The Greek word for ‘saw” used to describe how Jesus viewed the large crowd indicates paying attention to and ascertaining what must be done. True compassion is more than expressing sympathy for someone’s sorrow. An empathetic person takes on the pain of another and sacrifices their own comfort to help.

The verbs Jesus uses here in Matthew 14 mirror the words he used at the final Passover meal He shared with His disciples: “take,” “give thanks,’ “break,” “give.”Just as our Savior invites us into communion with Him, we are called to invite others in and welcome them to our table. We may not have much to offer, but we can share our meager resources and trust that our God will multiply whatever we place on the table.

Let’s not be women who cry crocodile tears and don’t offer up our loaves and fishes. We can resolve to sacrifically share so that those who lack provision will be sustained.