Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
The lesser and unspecified details from this story in the life of Jesus invite all sorts of questions. What does Jesus hear that causes him to take a solo boat ride? Is it the news that Herod considers him a resurrected John the Baptist, or is it the news that John—Jesus’ cousin—has been beheaded?
Regardless of why Jesus heads out alone, we might speculate that Jesus feels gut-punched. Even the most emotionally mature and stable among us can be laid low by shocking or disappointing news. I have had these moments myself and fully expect that more yet lie in my path through this world. I ask Jesus to protect me from those moments, but I am fully confident that Jesus will be with me when they inevitably come.
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