Luke 9:7-11 KJV
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead;
8 And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
9 And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.
10 And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida.
11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

Every day with Jesus is sweeter then the day before by Robert Claire Lovelace, goes an Old Gospel hymn. Yet do we truly understand how much sweeter it be on the otherside of eternity to be with Jesus compared to our world today. We still must deal with the world today, Yet Jesus never leaves our side. God did not breath life into Christ when he hung on the cross to help him live, but allowed his suffering to end. At anytime God could of stopped Jesus death and crucifixion, but he did not. Sometimes on this earth our suffering is only for a season for a purpose, if nothing more to teach us compassion, or learn another valuable life lesson. The song writer had learned maybe one of the greatest life lesson to learn how sweet Jesus is compared to the day before, how we must grow in Christ and to taste the sweetness of Christ message is to us.

What does this have to do with Herod, he had killed John the Baptist and in about a year time he would speak to Jesus himself. Yet right now Herod is wondering who this Jesus person is that got the crowd following him. The news of there being another prophet, teacher in the region was enought to prick the mind of Herod to hope to eventually meet this man. He is a government of Roman and yet he does not send for Jesus, or request his soldiers to bring him to speak to him, instead he only hopes to run into him. He not ready to seek this person out name Jesus, or even ready to know what is to sit and listen to Jesus.

When the apostle came and told Jesus what had been done to John, he took them to a place in the desert to teach, to minister and to heal those in need of healing. Every day with Jesus was like this desert walk, including perhaps the mourning of lost of a follower that would not follow in the ways of Jesus. John the baptist had passed away, no longer to follow or to know Jesus on earth. That a give me. But mourning of loss, was not just a cousin of Jesus, but those that came seeking him only to go away sad, not healed, delivered or with greater knowledge. One either walked with Jesus was feed the word of life that nourished or the word that spoke judgment that would cause one to walk away. Yet people gather and desired to be with Jesus daily, it was sweet times with Jesus to grow, to learn, to feel Christ compassion as he healed the soul, mind and spirit of the people. There are some wounds that can be only healed by Jesus.

God allows suffering of his people and even other people. However how a believer looks at suffering is far different then the world. We all hurt, we all complain and we all loose focus. As a believer our focus should be on Christ example, yet we all need saving at times, and miracles in our life. What then is my point, if we all suffer how can our day be sweeter with Jesus. It is knowing he is there with us on our journey to mend our hurts, our sorrows, our illness, and enjoy time of joy with Him. There was sorrow over John the Baptist death and fear had gripped the apostles. Yet Jesus took them and comfort them and those that followed. He took them and taught, He took them and minister to their health needs.

Jesus still ministers to our soul, to our health needs, and even deals with our fear. Life goes on and we battle the next crisis and still need healing of the next disease that plagues our bodies. Yet Jesus is there to heal al our infirmities and to heal all our distresses. Things maybe routine, but with Jesus it not routine, it is learning to walk by His Spirit and to walk by his word of truth. To walk in faith not by sight. To know Jesus cares for us in each storm and joy in life is a blessing. To know he is there to bring comfort and deliverance. To bring joy to our soul. Jesus did not leave or foresake his people, he still with us by his Spirit.

Can we trust in the storm and headaches of life, can we know the journey continues and that we have to pick up our cross to follow. The things we bear in this life is so little compared to what Jesus bore for us. For he took on the payment of not just one person's sin but the sins of the world, and willing paid the price through his death.

Where are you this morning are you Herod not yet ready to meet Jesus, like the apostles fearful of the times we are in and ready to hid, or ready to follow in Jesus into the desert place to be comforted, and taught by Jesus. Maybe need of healing, or having to learn to bear the cross of suffering for a reason in one's personal life. If your not being healed, ask the Lord to bring to light why not at this time, what you are to learn so you can get to the next part of the journey.

Dear Heavenly Father, events of fear sometimes draws us to that place we need to seek you and trust you, and you are faithful to teach and to heal us. Continue Lord your work in my life and life of all that believe. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Mark 10:20-22 KJV
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.