No Sighing

“After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number.  Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten.” John 6:1-13

Jesus had been teaching, traveling, healing, compassionately dealing with crowds of needy individuals. Matthew and Mark tell us He had just learned of the cruel death of His cousin John the Baptist, so He was grieving, and grief is exhausting. His disciples were detailing reports, curious and helpless crowds kept pressing in, and He finally got away with His small group of close friends to rest and refresh… and still they came. (Matthew 14:1-14: Mark 6:17-34)

Jesus doesn’t even sigh. Where I imagine an audible exhale, a rolling of the eyes, a weary resignation, Jesus had none. His focus and energy are supernaturally fueled, and He cannot help but be the God He is, electric with loving sympathy, careful strategy, holy purpose, and power. He proceeds to work a miracle that leaves everyone in awe at His orderly organization, His divine supply, His use of His people to satisfy others’ needs, His bounty above all we can even imagine. All are satiated.

This is our Savior. He never grows weary or takes off time. His eye is always upon us, His prayers are unceasingly for us, His plans are always in motion. He never leaves or forsakes us, and nothing can snatch us from His hands or separate us from His love. He is not surprised at world events, nor confused by numberless prayers; He is in control and reigns in peace and order. (Proverbs 15:3; Isaiah 40:28; John 10:28; Romans 8:34-38; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 3:12)

He it is who sustains us when life presses in. He is our enough, and our above and beyond. (Isaiah 40:30-31; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Ephesians 3:20)

Father, may I never sigh at what You ask of me, nor weary in doing good. Fill me to overflow with Your grace, wisdom, and love. (Galatians 6:9)