Jesus’ Compassion

Interestingly, the stress seen on that day is not seen on Jesus' face, but on the faces on the disciples.

"Send the crowds away," they demanded. Fair request. "After all," they are saying, "You've taught them. You've healed them. You've accommodated them and now they're getting hungry. If we don't send them away, they'll want you to feed them too!"

 

I wish I could have seen the expression on the faces of the disciples when they heard the Master's response…

 

"You give them something to eat."

 

Rather than look to God, they looked at their wallets. "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?"

 

"You've got to be kidding…"

"He can't be serious…"

"It's one of Jesus jokes…"

"Do you know how many people are out there?"

 

Eyes watermelon wide. Jaws dropping open. One ear hearing the din of the crowd, the other the command of God.

 

Don't miss the contrasting views. When Jesus saw the people, he saw an opportunity to love and affirm value. When the disciples saw the people they saw thousands of problems.

 

Also don't miss the irony. In the midst of a bakery…in the presence of the Eternal Baker…they tell the "Bread of Life" that there is no bread.

Really…

 

Here is where Jesus should have given up. This is the point in the pressure-packed day where Jesus should have exploded. The sorrow, the life threats, the exuberance, the crowds, the demands, and now this. His own disciples can't do what he asks them. In front of five thousand men, they let him down.

 

"Beam me up, Father," should have been Jesus' next words. But they weren't. Instead he inquires, "How many loaves do you have?"

 

The disciples bring him a little boy's lunch.

 

A lunch pail becomes a banquet, and all are fed. No word of reprimand is given. No furrowed brow of anger is seen. No "I told you so" speech is delivered. The same compassion Jesus extends to the crowd is extended to his friends.

(the Devotional Bible)

 

Do you do what you Master asks of you? Do you get angry with others when things don't go the way you want them to go? Do the stresses of the day's events get to you and overtake you?

 

Jesus asks us to take a calm, faith-filled approach to our lives. In all the stress and grind of your day, give Him the glory and let him feed you. Let him lead you. Remember, when it gets too much for us, He is there to lead and feed!

 

In Christ,

Rick