I am moved by wonder at the goodness of Jesus who, having heard the terrible news that his cousin and the one who had gone ahead of Him to prepare His way, had been killed in prison, and having left in order to be on his own "withdrew thence in a boat to a desolate place by himself " sees the great multitude which has come after him and is "moved with compassion"

So great is his love! It is so central to His being to put aside all his own needs and emotions in order to consider others first, to be moved by love and care for others more than his desire, his great need, to mourn John in a quiet place on his own.

He pours out his soul unto death in just such a way, for the joy set before him, of overcoming the accuser, the destroyer, the thief and the murderer who is that spiritual being, Satan, eternally opposed to God and God's authority. This is what love does: it is always looking outwards, pouring out His life towards another, wanting their good, their healing, their wholeness, their restoration, that they might have life and have it to the full. Praise God!