In the book of Mark
twice Jesus fed thousands of people at one time by taking a small number of
loaves and fish and dividing them. In the second of those encounters, as they
were ready to begin their journey home, Jesus said, “I feel compassion
for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have
nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on
the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.” (Mark 8:2–3, NASB)
These people had been with Him for three days, so
intent of Him that they ignored their own need for food. When it was time for
them to leave Jesus in a great show of compassion for them undertook meeting their
physical need for food so that they would have the strength to make it home,
and not pass out on the way. We go on to read in the following verses and in
Matthew 15:38 that after the thousands were fully satisfied that there was
still some left over. We are not told what happened to the leftovers, but it
would not surprise me if it was given to sustain those with the greatest
distance on their way home.
In John 6:35
and 40 Jesus said, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger,
and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” … “For this is the will of My
Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal
life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”” (John 6:35,40, NASB)
Jesus not only has compassion on our physical
need in coming to Him, but for our deepest spiritual need as well which is the
forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life. He will see us home.
(Written on 10/8/18 for Sherman Country eNews Spiritual Matters)
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