We have read about the "miracle feeding of the 5,000" so many times that perhaps we don't really READ the story anymore. We think "Oh yeah, I know that one."
Here are a few forgotten-usually details, from the account in Mark 6 starting at 29.
1. Jesus has just been told that His cousin and probably-childhood-friend John (the Baptist) has been brutally murdered and his body mocked. (verses 19-29).
2. The disciples give Jesus a review of "both what they had done and what they had taught" (verse 30). We know from other verses that the possibility is pretty good that they didn't exactly follow Jesus's teaching with strong faith.
3. Now Herod who has beheaded John is seeking to see Jesus (Luke 9:9 parallel story).
4. Jesus says "Let's go to a quiet place" in verse 31 away from people, and we have no scriptures saying that THEY had eaten yet. The parallel telling in Luke 9:13 shows they had no food.
5. But the people will not leave Jesus alone... they follow him. Does Jesus hide? NO --
6. Jesus RECEIVES the "multitudes", teaches them about God's Kingdom (per both tellings), and heals many (per Luke 9). We can imagine how LOUD 1,000s of people are.... perhaps PUSHING to get closer to Jesus for healing....
ALL OF THIS HAPPENS right BEFORE Jesus has compassion and does the miracle feeding because they have followed Him in their hunger to hear and be healed.
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Here are a few forgotten-usually details, from the account in Mark 6 starting at 29.
1. Jesus has just been told that His cousin and probably-childhood-friend John (the Baptist) has been brutally murdered and his body mocked. (verses 19-29).
2. The disciples give Jesus a review of "both what they had done and what they had taught" (verse 30). We know from other verses that the possibility is pretty good that they didn't exactly follow Jesus's teaching with strong faith.
3. Now Herod who has beheaded John is seeking to see Jesus (Luke 9:9 parallel story).
4. Jesus says "Let's go to a quiet place" in verse 31 away from people, and we have no scriptures saying that THEY had eaten yet. The parallel telling in Luke 9:13 shows they had no food.
5. But the people will not leave Jesus alone... they follow him. Does Jesus hide? NO --
6. Jesus RECEIVES the "multitudes", teaches them about God's Kingdom (per both tellings), and heals many (per Luke 9). We can imagine how LOUD 1,000s of people are.... perhaps PUSHING to get closer to Jesus for healing....
ALL OF THIS HAPPENS right BEFORE Jesus has compassion and does the miracle feeding because they have followed Him in their hunger to hear and be healed.
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This disciples did what I probably would.
They whined.
They said "The Hour is late. Send them away" with of course an excuse reasoning that this is good for them (Mark 6:35-36 and Luke 9:12).
What does this have to do with a diet blog?
MOTIVE. GOALS.
Willingness to set myself ASIDE to serve God by helping others.
The disciples ALSO were tired and had not eaten.
They were self-focused so much
that they didn't really care about the hurts of the people around them.
Jesus had to help them see the need to help others.
And I need Jesus to remind me -- constantly -- to
quit focusing so much on me & my little pains, EMOTIONAL as well as physical,
that I don't even see the needs of hurting people.
That I don't sacrifice my time and resources, my self-centeredness-- to help them.
GOD'S ENCOURAGEMENT
The story of the "Good Samaritan" came LONG before Jesus:Leviticus 25: 35 on:
"If one of your brethren becomes poor, and falls into poverty among you, then you shall help him, like a stranger or a sojourner, that he may live with you. Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you. You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit. I AM the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan [and] to be your God. 'And if [one of] your brethren [who dwells] by you becomes poor, and sells himself to you, you shall not compel him to serve as a slave"
PRAYER
GOD I AM SO SELFISH. Please help me to focus on YOU..... to help others,
in Your Wisdom (James 1:5) and Your empowering (Ephesians 3:20)....
for Your GLORY and not mine. Ephesians 3:21, all for you.
©2013 DianaDee Osborne; all rights reserved. But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
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