In my Bible, Matthew 14:13-21 carries the title, “Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand.” Naturally, when I read that section, I focus on the miracle of the loaves and fishes – feeding a crowd of thousands with just five loaves and two fishes.
But today, I wonder if some of the ‘real’ story is in the first two verse. The previous 12 verses tell of the beheading of John the Baptist. “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place.” Matthew 14:13 I wonder if Jesus was feeling tremendous grief at the loss of a great man, a great friend, “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’” Isaiah 40:3 I wonder if Jesus was considering what men had done and whether or not the human race was worth redeeming. How deep His suffering and grief at that moment!
“Hearing this, the crowds followed Him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14 I wonder if the Father brought the crowds to Jesus to remind Him that He loved them and as He showed the compassion that so naturally flowed from Him, He began to make up His mind that, yes, He would go through with His purposes here on earth. Yes, He loved them enough to die for them – even those that killed one so dear to Him.
Moments like these in Scriptures remind me that Jesus could have turned away at any time and returned to heaven without any of the betrayal, torture, or the cross. He could have given us all what we deserve and ended the human race at any time. Yet, because of His great love and compassion, He healed the sick, provided nourishment, and met the needs of the crowds who followed Him.
He is still the same God – full of compassion and mercy. He loves us in spite of all the wrong we have done and encourages us when we do well. He cheers us on in this life as we learn to be more and more like Him, as we prepare for eternity with Him.
How awesome is our God! There is nothing that can compare to His great love for us.
Thank Jesus He went to the Cross! We would have nothing to prepare for if He hadn't. The last part of the last line struck me....as we prepare for eternity with Him.... We are to be preparing now. We are to work out our salvation, and allow Him to do His work in us so that we will be more prepared to spend eternity with Him. We are not just here waiting for Heaven.
ReplyDeleteYes, Julie. We have much work to do while we are still here on earth. "Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." I think that means we allow God to keep transforming us to be more and more like Him - full of compassion, mercy and grace, wanting with Him that no one would perish (II Peter 3:9) and, therefore, willing to spend ourselves to live out and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all.
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