1 Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.
We find in the other gospels that our verses for today follow on the heels of two significant events in the life of Jesus and His disciples – events that would have affected them emotionally, physically and spiritually: the beheading of Jesus’ cousin John the Baptist by Herod and the sending out of the disciples to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick – empty handed of all worldly means. Both of these events had to have impacted them greatly and left them spent. It was Jesus’ desire to withdraw with His boys to a solitary place for a time of refreshment and repose. Restorative prayer, food and quiet were the goals to rejuvenate their weary spirits and bodies. I am reminded of a verse penned in Acts by Dr. Luke:
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, Acts 3:19 (NIV)
They would have definitely been seeking times of refreshing which can truly only come from the Lord. If we seek our refreshment from any other source we will undoubtedly find it wanting. Jesus desired relaxation, relief and refreshment for His guys yet it was not going to come through ordinary means. The disciples – both then and now – were getting ready to be taught a lesson regarding a kink in “best laid plans”. Now I do not know much about how you feel regarding an abrupt change of venue but I do not readily take to it! I get my mind wrapped around the schedule and quite frankly it is a bit annoying to have it changed. This is really unfortunate for me and those with this same mindset as most often our plans and God’s plans are quite different – go figure! He is constantly teaching me all kinds of things through abrupt change – two in particular come to mind: self-denial and patience! I love a quote penned by Henry Martyn - a former missionary to India - that certainly should be interjected at this point:
“I have rightly no other business each day but to do God’s work as a servant, constantly regarding His pleasure. May I have grace to live above every human motive, simply with God and to God.” Henry Martyn
These guys were thinking they were about to enjoy some serious R and R with their Lord and instead find themselves stampeded by a great throng of hurting humanity all seeking cure for their care, balm for their bereavement and healing for their hurts. Since the fall and sin entered on the scene, hurting people have always been the norm. That is why we are called to a life of compassion.
“If I have not compassion on my fellow servant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” Amy Carmichael
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 (NIV)
“Jesus died for sinners, cannot we live for them? Where is our tenderness? Where our love to Christ, if we seek not His honour in the salvation of men? O that the Lord would saturate us through and through with an undying zeal for the souls of men.” Charles H. Spurgeon
These crowds had been privy to see the finger-marks of God from the hands of Jesus and they were searching for more – specifically, they needed their needs met. Ever been in the position of the disciples – spent yet facing more need? We are about to be taught a lesson from Jesus on compassion and working in God’s strength through the verses that will follow in this chapter but for now our eyes are on the condition of Jesus and His guys prior to this miracle. It was not unusual for our Lord Jesus to find Himself in the midst of a crowd - His hands always doing good deeds for others – healing the sick, raising the dead, giving sight to the blind and food to the hungry. His miracles, therefore, drew many after Him though some not effectively. Many sought only the miracle and not the Master. Nevertheless, He turns no one away:
37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. John 6:37-38 (NIV)
His constant desire and call, issued to all, shows forth in the following verses:
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light ." Matt 11:28-30 (NIV)