John 6:30-44
The twelve were
sent out in two’s by Jesus to do the work of ministry, not unlike your calling
today and mine, with this difference; they knew they were sent. Many a
person who goes by the name Christian today has little or no understanding of
being sent, they go to church and listen, they attend Bible studies, and yet
they never equate that they are also called to as we go, make disciples of
Jesus Christ; to share the good news.
Now they are back
home and reporting on all the amazing things that took place, the healing of
the sick and how even the demons obey them, but their message was that people
should repent. O how that message needs to be heard by a world full of
self-centered sinful people, in and outside of the walls of the church.
I find this of great interest; “The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they
had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come
away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure
even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by
themselves.” Most of us have no concept of what is taking
place at this time in the disciples and Jesus’ life, but many a pastor
understands, and it is our responsibility to encourage them to find that place
where they can find rest.
But the same people
who watch them get into the boat were not ready to let them go, so they took
off and ran around on dry land to where they believed they were going on the
water in the boat. Are you thinking maybe a hundred or so young active
people were waiting for them? Then you would be so wrong for 5,000 men
were expecting them any minute. When Jesus and his disciples got to
what they hoped was a place of rest, they found 5000 men, and we assume plus
women and children wanted more face time. This is Mark’s account; “Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran
there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went
ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them because they were
like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when
it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place,
and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside
and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
If I had been there
it also would have been my thinking, tell them to go feed their families the
services are over and go back home, we need some downtime, but that is not what
Jesus did, then or now.
“But
he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we
go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” And
he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out,
they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then he commanded them all to sit down in
groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by
fifties. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven
and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set
before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate
and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and
of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
From the Back Porch,
Bob Rice
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