It started out in his hometown of Nazareth. He taught in his home Synagogue. People could not believe what they were hearing. Some liked his gracious words, while others wondered why he spoke as an authority figure. Some did not like his interpretation of the scripture at all. While others merely wanted to hurl him from a cliff.
Some days – you can’t win for nothing!
When he heard his cousin was placed in prison for calling out Herod…he needed to think this thing through. He snuck away. But there is no sneaking away, not really. Not ever.
Everything has a way of following you – wherever you go. It comes with you.
When Jesus then heard the awful news a little bit later about John, he knew he needed to get away again for a second time.
He had just heard that John, his cousin, his mentor, his buddy, his friend was just executed as a terrorist by the authorities – because they thought he was inciting the people to riot against the empire.
And it was more than an execution – it was a decapitation for show in the midst of a social event. Nice!
Would he be next? Would Herod dare come after him? John was saying the same things he was saying…
These were dangerous times. So he got away. He took off on a boat to a lonely place – by himself. He needed to think. He needed to pray. He needed direction. Maybe he even needed some security and safety and some space in between.
The hills soon filled up with people who had heard stories about him, and they all came looking for him. Word travels quickly sometimes.
They too, were grieving the loss of John. Perhaps they came for his commentary on John…or was it as a testament to his charisma? Certainly his reputation had spread and was continuing to spread.
He couldn’t help but notice that most of the people were poor, sick and homeless. They had no place else to be.
So they came in hope of a miraculous healing. They came to be touched. They came to be healed. They came seeking personal relief.
Jesus provided them with hope. The crowds and the numbers seemed to continually grow throughout the day.
Jesus worked feverishly. He had to.
In a desert place – food always was scarce. But that desert place in the presence of Jesus became a place of grass on which to sit and to feast.
Psalm 23 must have popped into many a persons’ head…which makes a table upon green pastures, in the presence of one’s enemies and even in the shadow of death.
As Jesus continued to heal – the time was slipping away. So many people, so many tremendous needs. It was getting late. His compassion was indeed noteworthy. Jesus was no doubt tired and distraught when his disciples came to him. The insatiable crowds motivated by multiple needs and interests continued to come.
The hour was indeed getting late.
“Send them away,” they said.
“They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!”
The people sat down.
I wonder if Psalm 145 went through Jesus’ mind – “You open wide your hand and satisfy the needs of every living creature.”
5,000 fed plus women and children.
God will sustain us! God will provide! He multiplies our meager resources.
Sometimes you have to go with the flow. Sometimes you have to place others before yourself.
Despairing gets you nowhere. The disciples despaired over what they didn’t have. They despaired over what they did have. They despaired over the enormity of the task. Despair gets you nowhere.
For me, the most important words in the gospel are “Bring them here to me.”
Bring what bothers you. Bring what troubles you. Bring your sorrows. Bring your joys. Bring your laughter and your tears. Bring your concerns. Bring your illnesses. Bring your health concerns.
“Bring them here to me,” Jesus says…
Bring your anguish. Bring your despair. Bring your questions. Bring your trials and your tribulations. Bring your worries and your concerns. Bring it all. Do not hesitate.
I care I have concern. I have compassion. I will listen. I will hear you.
“Bring them here to me!” This is Jesus at his finest.
This passage show us so beautifully the humanity and the divinity of Jesus. Mourning and grieving and yet offering healing and life at the same time. Truly he was a man who lived for others…