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“And he [Herod] sent, and beheaded John in the prison…And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus” (Matthew 14:10,12).
“And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught” (Mark 6:30).
Here we find two different groups of people who approached the Lord Jesus, probably about the same time. They brought two very different kinds of news to Him, too. The apostles (or disciples) had just returned from a very successful mission of preaching, healing, and casting out devils. No doubt they were happy to report to the Lord Jesus what they had done.
But the disciples of John the Baptist came to report that Herod had just beheaded the one they followed. They knew where to go for sympathy and comfort! John the Baptist had been a most faithful man, and had told the people that the Lord Jesus was coming. But now his work was done, and God allowed the wicked King Herod to behead him.
The Lord Jesus understood both His own disciples, when they were glad, and John’s disciples, when they were sad. He understands us too, whether we go to Him when we are happy, or whether we are sad. He can appreciate our happiness, or comfort us in any sadness in our life.
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