Jesus knows the value of people!

Luke 4:38-44

Leaving the synagogue Jesus went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her. Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.

  

At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them. Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God.’ But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

  

When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them, but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do.’ And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.

Food for thought!

Jesus's attitude to the people is worth our attention. He was always ready to serve the people. He had just left the synagogue. But no sooner had Jesus left the synagogue and entered Peter's house than the insistent cry of human need was at him. He did not claim that he was tired and must rest; he answered it without complaint. 

The question is: what did Jesus know about people that enabled him to be and do what he was and did with the people? Even when he was tired, even when he wanted to have rest, even when he went off to be by himself in prayer, and the people came over to him, he did not send them away. The gospel says, "he continued his preaching." So what is it that made Jesus be so receptive to the people? 

The answer is obvious. Jesus knew the value of people. He knew that each human being is a treasure. And because he did, people were not a source of stress, but a source of joy. He knew that He had to proclaim to the people the Good News, "because that is what I was sent to do," He said. Jesus' love for people overcame his need for rest. 

All of us, regardless of our profession and job, are working with people. Do we know the value of the people we are serving? Do we see people as problems, as cases, as nuisance, as what? How do you see the people you serve? 

Please, notice that there is no word of complaint or resentment when Jesus' privacy and prayer were invaded by the crowds. Prayer is great but in the last analysis the people's need is greater. Pray we must; but prayer must never be an escape from reality; going to church should never be an escape from going to market place. Prayer cannot preserve us from the insistent cry of the people's need. It must prepare us for it; and sometimes we will need to rise from our knees too soon and get to attend to the people's need.

As you know, we shall be judged by our attention to the people's needs: "I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home. 36 I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me" (Mt 25,35-36). Be caring and careful to the people you serve.