Ever been anxious for a break in schedule? Coming off their months-long personal ministry tour, Jesus suggested He and the Apostles take a break. “‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.” The Disciples were focused on rest, food, and time away from crowds.
NO REST IN SIGHT
But wait, word about Jesus gets around FAST. Possibly around 50,000 people rushed to where Jesus was headed. The Gospels count 5,000 men, but that doesn’t include all the women and children. This doesn’t look like much of a break for the Twelve.
NIGHT IS COMING FAST
Did the Disciples moan and mutter when they saw “Jesus had compassion on them [the multitude], because they were like sheep without a shepherd”? Furthermore, “Jesus began to teach them many things.” Matthew adds that Jesus heals many. Do you think the disciples kept focusing on their lost vacation, especially as night approached?
SEND THEM AWAY!!
The feeding of the 50,000 is the only miracle (besides the resurrection) recorded in all four Gospels (Mark 6:30-44 ESV & AMP, John 6:1-13, Matthew 14:13-21 & Luke 9:10-20). Combining all four perspectives: “His disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away [the crowd] to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” Were the Disciples focused on clearing the area as fast as possible?
NO FOOD IN SIGHT
Then, “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.)” Notice the pivot. The disciples automatically focus on their own resources. “Philip answered him, ‘Two hundred denarii[about 8 month’s wages] worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.’”
Andrew pipes up, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” “Loaves” are small flatbread biscuits, and the 2 little fish are pickled. After all the miracles the 12 witnessed and the wonderful ways God empowered the disciples on their personal ministry tour, the Disciples focused on what they didn’t have: a giant food truck. A kid’s meal just would not cut it.
FOCUSING ON WHAT I DON’T HAVE
Often, I also focus on what I don’t have, whether it is finances, physical calamities, or interpersonal relationship crises. Exhaustion distorts my focus. I don’t run to Jesus first and bring it totally to Him. Instead, I focus on my own resources (or lack thereof), or the resources of others. Along the way, I may ask some people to pray about the need. I focus on my anxieties about a situation instead of my Savior. Only Jehovah-Jireh, the “Lord Who Provides,” can deliver what God alone can provide. Did it occur to any of the Twelve to focus on the God of Creation Who lived in their midst? Like us, the Disciples focused everywhere else.
FOCUSING ON RELAXED LIVING
Megan Fare Marshman authored “Relaxed: Walking with the One Who Is Not Worried about a Thing”. She urges: “Go to God, don’t go to yourself. Don’t go to your own understanding; go to God. Go to God, not moralism [an emphasis on proper moral behavior to the exclusion of genuine faith]. Don’t go to another podcast about God; go to God. God is our guide, and He knows His best plans. Don’t focus on your needs and anxieties, but do your fastest dash to the only One Who is sufficient.”
The Disciples couldn’t, and I can’t feed 50,000. Only Jesus can. Laser focus on the Savior first.