“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. 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 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…’ 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…
“Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side… After he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. And when evening came,.. he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And… he came to them.” Mark 6:30-34,38,41-42,46-48
Jesus the Son of Man was fully in tune with the needs of men. Every need. He grieved the callous beheading of His cousin John, identifying with the anguished sorrow of death and injustice. He recognized fatigue, urging his disciples to rest, be still, and take some leisure from the frenzy of ministry. He knew hunger, and multiplied meager to satisfy the famished. He had compassion on those weighted with purposelessness, doubt, and fear, and tended to each appropriately, watching, praying, coming. (Matthew 4:2; 14:10-14; Mark 11:12; John 4:6; 11:33-35)
Why do we waste time and energy in fuss and fret? What convoluted thinking motors a life of worry and angst? It is in our dearth that we learn to depend on and exalt the only One who meets it. It is in times of need that we necessarily recognize our helplessness and fruitlessness apart from Christ. Our weakness exalts His strength and power, our lack His sufficiency, our very asking His graciousness and kindness to answer. (Matthew 7:7-8; John 15:5; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4:6-7)
What is it we need today? Are we tired, desperate to restructure our schedules with some margin for rejuvenating rest? Are we hungry for fellowship, or a sense of purpose, or contentment? Has vision grown stale, or zeal depleted? Are we sorrowing the loss of a loved one, or health, or hope? What doubt, fear, or unknown way forward grips us when we lie awake at night? Is there a situation that needs particular wisdom and discernment? None of these is a surprise to our Lord! He who gave His life for us gives every bounty besides! (Genesis 22:14; Matthew 6:8; Romans 8:31-32; Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:19; )
Gracious, all-sufficient Lord, may I trust and delight in Your ability to make all grace and every good thing abound to me, so I might faithfully abound in every good work for You. (2 Corinthians 9:8-11)
As the rain and snow 