No Time To Grieve

 Matthew 14: 13-21

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

¹³ When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

This version of Matthew 14: 13-21 does not mention that what "had happened" was the death of John the Baptist and news of it had just reached Jesus. He wanted, he needed time to grieve the death of his cousin/ friend, but the crowds pressed on him, touching his tender heart and he put aside his feelings to favor their needs.

How often in our own loves do we find ourselves in such a situation, and when, like Jesus, we respond to the needs of others, "miracles" happen.  May we never forget that he is always with us and can do more for us and others than we dare to imagine. In so many ways we were created for others, not for ourselves!

Bro Rene