“And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, ‘This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, ‘They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”
Matthew 14:15-16
“Send them away.”
Maybe the disciples had good motives. Maybe. Or maybe they had just had enough. The time was past. What time? The time to eat and rest.
Earlier that day Jesus had heard the news about the death of John the Baptist and He and His followers secured a ship and sailed across the sea. He did not send the people away, but He did move on.
However, the people wanted to see more of Jesus of Nazareth, and when they had taken note of the direction the ship sailed toward, they simply walked around to meet Him on the other side. They knew Jesus would not send them away.
As Jesus approached the shore the crowds caught up and compelled by compassion Jesus spent hours more teaching and healing. He could not bring Himself to send them away.
So even when His disciples encouraged Jesus to send the multitudes away, He would not.
Instead, Jesus went on to perform what has become one of His most famous miracles. He fed thousands by miraculously dividing a few loaves and fishes among the multitudes.
When we think we have nothing left to give, don’t send the needy away. Wait, and see what God will do.
When you feel burned out and think you have no love left to give. You’re right. But don’t send people away. when you are weak, God is strong. Let Him love others through you.
When the task is greater than you can even begin to comprehend, don’t send it away, give it to God and see what He can do.
There is a time to rest, but let’s only move on in God’s timing, not just simply because we’ve had enough.
We can often accomplish more than we know when we do it in God’s strength.
Leave a Reply