You Can Tell Jesus

The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in prison. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. (Matthew 14:9-12) 
 
The story of John the Baptist’s death is one many of us have heard before. However, there is one verse at the end of the story in Matthew chapter 14 that would be easy to skim over without a second thought, and that is verse 12.  
 
Once John the Baptist had been beheaded, his head was taken to Herodias, and then John’s disciples came to pick up his body so they could bury it. Once they had put him in a tomb, Matthew says, “they went and told Jesus.”  
 
This is a simple and subtle observation, but significant nonetheless, because in spite of the loss, in spite of the injustice, and in spite of the pain and suffering, the disciples knew they could run to Jesus and they could tell Him anything. This is such an important reminder that we must take to heart as we face our own pain and suffering. We must remember that we, too, can run to Jesus and tell Him anything.  
 
I love what one hymnologist wrote, “I must tell Jesus all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone. In my distress he kindly will help me; He ever cares and loves his own.”  
 
Whatever is on our hearts, whatever we’re struggling with, and whatever is burdening us, we can bring it to the feet of Jesus. Nothing is too big, and nothing is too small. He wants us to come to Him in prayer. He wants us to ask Him for help. And He wants to show us that He loves us, He cares for us, and He can tend to our souls and our needs unlike anything or anyone else.