Politics is not new. The Bible says that John the Baptist suffered under the cruel politics of court life. All the elements of a modern-day scandal was there - ambition, sex, power play, and of course, death.
John used to be an ally to King Herod, no doubt enjoyed some favors from the ruler. Until the king wanted to bed his brother's wife Herodias. John warned against it. Of course Herodias hated John. So when the opportunity struck, she asked her own daughter to have John killed. Herod, cornered by his own pride, relented. John the Baptist was killed - his head delivered on a plate.
When the disciples heard what happened, they rushed to Jesus. As the obvious successor to John the Baptist, I'm quite sure they expected some form of retaliation from the Christ. Perhaps at least some public statement denouncing this evil. A protest maybe for the death of a good friend. Any form of political opposition.
Jesus responded with, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” In the succeeding verses, Jesus proceeded to feed a crowd of five thousand with two loaves and five fish.
If you ever feel overwhelmed by the politics of the times, let's heed Jesus' instructions. Seclude, rest a while. Pray, more than ever and focus on what is more important. Because you see friends, politics is like the shifting shapes of sand. But the concerns of the Lord is eternity.
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