13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Upon hearing about the death of His cousin, John the Baptist, our Lord withdraws with His guys to a solitary place. The thoughts Herod held concerning Jesus had reached our Lord’s ear and since His time of departure from this earth had not fully arrived, He and His disciples retreat from Herod’s jurisdiction. This also begins a change of direction in Jesus’ ministry from the masses to a focus primarily of pouring out and into His disciples.
In our verses for today we read of the only miracle recorded in all four gospels – an indication of its importance - and its primary significance was intended for the disciples. After His physical departure from earth it would be these guys who would be involved in the feeding of spiritual food to the people and the source of their feeding would be the Lord Himself. The miracle took place, Luke tells us, in the town of Bethsaida just prior to the Passover, which John records in his account of this miracle. I am reminded of Jesus’ reinstatement of Peter after our Lord’s resurrection which indicates the priority the Master places on feeding and taking care of His sheep – flowing out of our love for Him:
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17 (NIV)
Next, we see the crowds are undeterred by His retreat and multitudes continued to follow after Jesus in great eagerness. When Christ and His Word withdraw from us it is in our best interest to follow. Jesus sees the crowds and does not turn away rather has compassion on them and heals their sick. How like Jesus! Tired and weary He continues to pour out His life like a drink offering – willing to toil and expose Himself for the good of men’s souls. He sets the supreme example for every believer to follow through His power. Jesus’ compassion and kindness towards mankind remind me of Jeremiah’s words in Lamentations:
21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” 25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; 26 it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lam 3:21-26 (NIV)
Believers are called to clothe ourselves in compassion and kindness as well. We are to look more and more like the Lord Jesus – not the world around us. Our Lord’s compassion was particularly directed towards the helpless and harassed. Paul states in Colossians:
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
“Jesus, Thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love Thou art.” Charles Wesley
It begins to get late and as they were in a remote place the disciples want to send the crowds away to purchase food. Yet Jesus has another idea. He tells His guys to give the crowds something to eat. Can you only imagine them thinking this had to be some kind of joke. There were five thousand men and who knows how many women and children – all with hunger pains – and the most the disciples could come up with was five small loaves of bread and a couple of meager fish. Yet these were an abundant feast in our Lord’s hands. He is ever turning the meager into much. Such a pittance to feed a multitude yet out of this Christ will have the multitudes fed. He gives thanks, He breaks bread and He distributes and all are satisfied. What we willingly place in the hands of Jesus – small as it may be – to use as He pleases - He can multiply and prosper. Praise Him!
After everyone is satisfied, Jesus has His guys pick up the broken pieces so that none would be wasted. Isn’t that just like Jesus too? He never wastes our broken pieces - our pains and trials He uses to grow us up in Him – building our character one brick at a time. What a blessed thought that our suffering in this broken world is not for naught. He is the Master at making beauty from ashes. Paul tells us in Romans:
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)