Day 5 – Bethsaida

“Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.” Mark 6:45 NKJV

The apostles headed for the hometown of Peter, Andrew, and Philip: Bethsaida meaning “House of fishing” (or hunting). Does this not remind you of when Jesus said, “I will make you fishers of men.” See, where God sends you, is your fishing territory. Your House of Fishing. Your Bethsaida. Whether it be your community, workplace, where you shop or even the missionary field. You were sent there for a reason – His reason. The question is: do you do what you’ve been sent to do, or sit with your arms crossed unhappy about the destination?

Interestingly, a few chapters before Matthew 14, Jesus reprimands the town of Bethsaida (and a few others) because of their lack of belief in Him despite the miracles performed there.

“Then Jesus began to denounce the towns where he had done so many of his miracles, because they hadn’t repented of their sins and turned to God. “What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse.” Matthew 11:20-21 NLT

Jesus’s love, even for those who reject Him, is incomprehensible to us. We might not understand why we need to speak to someone repeatedly about the Good News if they are just not interested. You’ve tried, right? So, why do it again? Because, lovely ones, Jesus will pursue them out of unrelenting love. Because each person belongs to Him, He will fight for them, just as He fights for you.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the Bethsaida You chose for me as my destination. And though I have been there before, or even if it is my home, You have chosen it as my House of Fishing so I can be a fisherman for Your Kingdom. I ask that You equip us with wisdom and courage to work in the Bethsaida of this world, unrelenting, just like Jesus’s love. Amen.