32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” 33 And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.
Let us bring forth food, for these people who have been listening to Jesus teach for three days. You would think they might be a little hungry. You would think many probably left after 36 hours, other after 50 hours. But still four thousand plus remained in order to listen to Jesus. So he has compassion on their physical needs.
We can get consumed by listneing. I notice several people that become so consumed with listening they fail to remember to keeep their eyes open. But in this is case they have forgotten to eat. Some might even say they have not forgotten to eat, but are so consuming the word of God they no longer see the need for bread.
Jesus knows that man does not live on bread alone, but every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. These people are truly living in a dead, desolate place. You may find yourself in a booming metropolis or in a small rural town. Either way you probably do not think you live in a desolate place. There is plenty of food available. But you most certainly live in a dead place.
All the world is full of dead people in need of the resurrection. Even after a while we start to remember that we do live in a place desolate of the word of God. The town is desolate of the morality of God, and love for God. The Metropolis is void of any talk of God, other than in a few places once a week. We truly live in a dead and dying world. Jesus has compassion on those who are places like that. He especially has compassion when they are trying to hear his word over the groaning stomachs of hungry people.
Yes, most assuredly Jesus does a miracle bringing bread to lips and stomachs of hungry people. But he also brings his word that provides life to the desolate places. He brings the Word of God and with it forgiveness of sins and redemption. So may all who are desolate places and dying times, find their hope in the Word of God made flesh to die for the forgivenesss of all sins.
No comments:
Post a Comment