Day 2 – Immediately after

“Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.” Matthew 14:22 NLT

From the first words in both accounts, our attention is drawn to what preceded. What happened before this? Jesus fed the 5000. The only distinctly physical miracle accounted for in all four Gospels. (Distinctly physical meaning: the miracle is incapable of natural explanation.) It wasn’t a healing that some would argue to be a result of “mind-over-matter,” although to me, all miracles are just that – miraculous.

The disciples returned from their paired-up missionary trip where they spread the Good News and were the vessels for many miracles. Instead of throwing them a big “welcome back” party, Jesus invites them to rest – but the rest was short-lived as multitudes gathered and they did not have time to eat. After Jesus preached to the sea of people, he fed THEM. Fish and loaves in our hands are merely substances, but in the hands of God – it is multitudes for His glory. Yes, the disciples were tired and hungry but distributed the meal and collected the leftovers. After this, Jesus sent them away – not because He did not want them with Him, but (I am sure) to get some rest and solitude from their long journeys and the long day.

In life, we often fail to understand events as they happen, and only when we look back can we see their purpose. Jesus taught that the work for the Kingdom is never done. There is always someone (or multitudes) in need of Him, regardless of what you have just done or how exhausted you are. The disciples didn’t complain about doing the work; they just didn’t know how. Do we help others from our own experiences, or do we look to Jesus and ask Him to provide the Daily Bread they need?

Prayer: Father, thank You that we can learn that there is a time for rest as You ordained from creation, but there is also time to work regardless of our exhaustion. As You provide the nourishment, You also give us the means to do what You need to be done. Thank You, that we know all our provision for our Kingdom work is from Jesus and that we can learn and live by His example. Amen.