Common sense

“”Sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.” Nothing wrong with that. So long as you have all the facts.

“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed those who were ill. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’” (Matthew 14 v 13-15)

The crowd had followed. The team had been found and Jesus leaves the Twelve to welcome them and to bring healing to their broken lives. Matthew writes that Jesus had compassion on them. But then the disciples approach Jesus with what appears to be their own compassion for the crowds. A remote place. The time is getting late. There is no food. Send the crowds away. Common sense.

Are we trying to dismiss what Jesus is wanting to do?

Have we lost sight of who we are with?

Common sense is common. We need the sense of the extraordinary other in our lives. This is not so common.

Perhaps we need to stop taking charge, stop trying to be in control and leave some space for the other. For Jesus has other ideas!

Miracles don’t happen in the arena of common sense.