(1) Imagine
I imagine myself to be one of the disciples. I just came back from the missionary trip with my partner and we cast out demons and healed sick people (6:7-13). Our jobs were so successful that Jesus' name was so widespread to the point that Herod heard about Him 6:14. However, when I came back to Jesus, another big crowd of people gathered around Jesus that we did not even have time to eat 6:31. Even Jesus knew that we needed to leave these people and have a rest v.31.
(2) Visualize
However, these people outrun us and arrived to the remote place we were going v.33. He did not sent them away for His own rest, but He had compassion on them.
6:34 As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.
Jesus's approach to these people moved my heart. Therefore, I was thinking about their dinner and told Jesus to send them away to find food for themselves v.36.
To our surprise, He told us to give them something to eat v.37. Then He directed the people to sit down in groups v.39 before there was anything to eat. We all did anyway. Then we all got the food from His hands and we served the people v.41. We and 5000+ people were all the eye-witnesses that Jesus was the coming Messiah.
(3) Reflection: Yes, the disciples knew that Jesus had the authority. They could cast out demons and heal the sick by the authority Jesus gave them. What was the purpose of seeing more of the power of Jesus? Jesus did that out of His compassion. It was reasonable to send people away when He and the disciples were tired, but He chose to take care of them. Do I? Do I care about my needs more than others?
The disciples were at the front line when they food came from Jesus. They knew the Source of the resources that could help people. When we are tired and still help others we need to know clearly Who is our source.
People were instructed to sit down before any food was seen (except the 5 loaves and 2 fish v.38-39). Do we have that faith? Before we see we believe. We trust that God will take care of us even when the circumstances are not favorable.
Audrey
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