Monday 11 August, 2014

29 Jesus left there. He walked along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Large crowds came to him. They brought blind people and those who could not walk. They also brought disabled people, those who could not speak, and many others. They laid them at his feet, and he healed them. 31 The people were amazed. Those who could not speak were speaking. The disabled were made well. Those not able to walk were walking. Those who were blind could see. So the people praised the God of Israel. 32 Then Jesus called for his disciples to come to him. He said, “I feel deep concern for these people. They have already been with me three days. They don’t have anything to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry. If I do, they will become too weak on their way home.” 33 His disciples answered him. “There is nothing here,” they said. “Where could we get enough bread to feed this large crowd?” 34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” 35 Jesus told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks. Then he broke them and gave them to the disciples. And the disciples passed them out to the people. 37 All of them ate and were satisfied. After that, the disciples picked up seven baskets of leftover pieces. 38 The number of men who ate was 4,000. Women and children also ate. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat. He went to the area near Magadan.

Jesus words in verse 32 are precious. Jesus is so good at teaching us what we need to know about Him. I love it. I see Jesus here making sure the disciples (and me) understand the motivation behind the miracle of loaves and fishes. Compassion arising out of a need to practically assist these precious people. Jesus had already done amazing miracles – the mute were speaking, the crippled were being made well, and the blind were seeing. But His power and love didn’t stop there. I see Jesus giving us an incredible insight into the heart of God our Father. Overflowing with kindness, mercy, and goodness to us. Jesus will not stop at simply healing the people’s physical conditions. He wants them going home well feed as well.

I see in this passage that God is so not the God of enough. He is the God of more than enough. But this is not because He loves to show off. It’s because He loves me. He loves humanity. Deeply. It overflows from Him. He cannot stop the flow. He dares not. It’s His nature and character to overflow to us with love. Powerful love. Love that heals. Love that does miracles. Love that causes us to go home well fed. This encourages me, but it also challenges me. Do I live a life that reflects my Fathers heart. If I try and live this attitude on my own, I’ve got no chance of reflecting my Father’s heart. But If I unrelentingly lean into His heart of love…I can demonstrate His glorious heart to a needy world.

God, your love is needed the world around. Your love overflows from you. You are Love. Give me a heart that does not relent in pursuing your heart of love. I want to demonstrate your heart to my world. But I can’t do it unless I am first established and covered in your love myself. Cover me this day, and everyday. Amen.

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh