What’s your need? 

~One more lesson from the Feeding of the Five Thousand, John 6.1-13

“After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee…”  To what did the ‘after this’ refer?  In syncing events of Jesus’ ministry, our Lord was not just physically weary from teaching and ministering; he was not just exhausted from the verbal attacks of the religious leaders who demanded explanations from him; he was not just worn out by the crowds who pressed in around him, always wanting more from him . . .  no, more than these, Jesus was greatly saddened and grieving the execution of John the Baptist.  John, his first cousin, had led a life of great personal sacrifice, but now he had paid the ultimate price for his unbending commitment to holy living—he had paid with his life.  (Matthew 14 tells the story of a threatened Herod finally getting just the excuse he needs to take the life of the desert preacher.) 

And so, Jesus took time to retreat—for a time of solitude and prayer with his Father, and special time alone with his twelve disciples.  They all needed to be together, away from the pressures of their usual activities, and so they took to the water, boarding a boat.  Our Father often seems to use water to soothe his children, have you noticed?  ‘He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul…’ Psalm 23.2 

“And a huge crowd was following Him … He asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?” Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.”

One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?”

Then Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.”

There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000. Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted.

When they were full, He told His disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.”  John 6.1-13, slightly shortened

Just how long Jesus and the disciples were able to be alone together we do not know, but it seems that their time of retreat might have been infringed upon by all of the people who came seeking Jesus.  Yet I don’t sense any frustration on Jesus’ part, just compassion and concern about meeting the need of the crowd for food. 

Jesus cares deeply about our needs—all of them, not just spiritual ones.  Jesus is concerned about whatever concerns us, and invites us to bring all to him.  “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  1 Peter 5.7  That is anxiety about the concerns of our lives!  Nothing is too big for Jesus, but no worry of yours is too small either.  “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you.  He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55.22 

When Jesus takes care of our needs, he does not just give us barely enough to get by … it delights him to make us full.   As he said, he did not come to give us a mediocre, barely get-by life…he came to give us an abundant life—life in all its fullness! John 10.10

So what do you need Jesus to do for you today?         Quiet yourself right now and  ask him to meet you at your place of need                                                                                …                                                                Trust him that he is at work.

Christine