We went to the Denver Zoo yesterday.
Man, was it crowded. We had to park about a mile away from the zoo entrance.
And, once inside, one had to possess the skill of a ship's captain, trained to navigate through cutting rocks, narrow channels, icebergs and nearly impenetrable fog.
That's what the sea of humanity looked like to me.
We patiently made our way through slow-moving hoards of strollers, darting children, promenading couples, and families trying to corral multiple kids, ranging in age from crying toddlers to whining second graders.
A funny thought occurred to me while we were standing in front of the feline enclosures. Here, we'd all come to see the animals. To see them do what each species does. Prowl, play, chase, stalk, communicate with each other. But we humans are far more interesting than the animals we'd come to view.
I thought about Jesus. During His earthly ministry, He traveled from town to town, looking for people.
He could have stationed Himself in one spot in Israel and had His disciples announce:
"The King awaits all interested persons. If you wish to see or speak to the King, come to the east gate of Jerusalem between the ninth hour and noon."
But no, Jesus got up, put on His traveling sandals and went in search of people.
They are the reason He came to this earth.
He was and is intensely interested in people.
We drove about 75 miles round-trip to do the Denver Zoo thing.
I looked at a map of Israel during the time of Christ.
Those were some miles Jesus put in to get from Jerusalem area all the way up to the towns around the Sea of Galilee. (close to a hundred miles one way as the crow flies)Then back.
And on foot.
Our God/man must have been supremely motivated to have made such arduous journeys.
And all to see people.
Next time I face another crowd of people, I'm going to remind myself that these crowds of humanity are what is most interesting to God.
And so should I be.
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matt. 9:35-36 NIV Bible)
Man, was it crowded. We had to park about a mile away from the zoo entrance.
And, once inside, one had to possess the skill of a ship's captain, trained to navigate through cutting rocks, narrow channels, icebergs and nearly impenetrable fog.
That's what the sea of humanity looked like to me.
We patiently made our way through slow-moving hoards of strollers, darting children, promenading couples, and families trying to corral multiple kids, ranging in age from crying toddlers to whining second graders.
A funny thought occurred to me while we were standing in front of the feline enclosures. Here, we'd all come to see the animals. To see them do what each species does. Prowl, play, chase, stalk, communicate with each other. But we humans are far more interesting than the animals we'd come to view.
I thought about Jesus. During His earthly ministry, He traveled from town to town, looking for people.
He could have stationed Himself in one spot in Israel and had His disciples announce:
"The King awaits all interested persons. If you wish to see or speak to the King, come to the east gate of Jerusalem between the ninth hour and noon."
But no, Jesus got up, put on His traveling sandals and went in search of people.
They are the reason He came to this earth.
He was and is intensely interested in people.
We drove about 75 miles round-trip to do the Denver Zoo thing.
I looked at a map of Israel during the time of Christ.
Those were some miles Jesus put in to get from Jerusalem area all the way up to the towns around the Sea of Galilee. (close to a hundred miles one way as the crow flies)Then back.
And on foot.
Our God/man must have been supremely motivated to have made such arduous journeys.
And all to see people.
Next time I face another crowd of people, I'm going to remind myself that these crowds of humanity are what is most interesting to God.
And so should I be.
"Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matt. 9:35-36 NIV Bible)
Hi Dena -
ReplyDeleteI love the way God uses our life experiences to remind us of His truths.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Susan, It seems like the more you read His Word, the more you see Him in all of life.
ReplyDelete