Jesus had experienced a long day of healing and exorcism. After casting out a demon in the synagogue in Capernaum and healing an apostle's mother-in-law at a Saturday afternoon luncheon, Jesus had a couple of hours of peace, hanging with his new disciples until the sun went down. With the Sabbath over, the people came out and lined up at Jesus' door. Every ailment in this small village was there-broken bones, flu, cancer, low-blood sugar, undiagnosed pains of every kind, and toothaches-all were in line waiting their turn for a touch of the master's hand. And, he touched every one. He passed out individual attention. With the miracle clinic closed he went to sleep.
As the roosters began to crow Jesus was up and out to spend some time in a lonely land with no lines and no expectations. He needed to hear the One Voice that mattered. His head was filled with the Many Voices. The scenes from the night before scrolled through his mind, a little crippled boy jumping up and down with glee; an old lady snapping out of a diabetic coma; a deaf mute's first sound was Jesus' voice. He heard the thanks and the pleas to heal one more. He heard the praise and the sobs of joy. And, he knew that this was only the first wave of sick folks he would encounter. He knew he would be chased and pressed and proded and begged like a "blanc" in a Haitien airport terminal. So before the roar rose again in his ears he needed to be quiet and listen to the One Voice that mattered, who could remind him of why he was sent, what his main purpose was, and what really counted.
Captives learn to hear the One Voice and to put the Many Voices in perspective.
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