“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.” Matthew 14.13-21
Jesus does it all. He meets the most basic needs of humanity. Not only did he heal all who were sick, but he took care of their physical needs by feeding them as well.
Jesus is in the thick of things. Ministry is demanding. Peoples expectations of who and what Jesus should be are not easily met. He has an opportunity to have some time alone to pray, rest, reflect and gather his strength. So he goes by boat to the other side of Galilee. But when he get there, he learned the crowds followed him on foot. Jesus lands, sees a large crowd and has compassion on the people.
He didn’t have to attend to the needs of the people. He could have remained in the boat and sailed across the sea to another location hidden from the people. But Jesus meets their needs just as he meets ours. He does that which we can not do ourselves.
And so after healing, teaching and ministering to the people, his disciples tells him to send the people away so they can find good. But Jesus, who has already provide he can meet every need says — “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Now imagine hearing that from Jesus. It’s laughable really. But Jesus isn’t laughing. He’s serious. And after coming back with only five loaves and two fish, the disciples proved they don’t have enough.
Until Jesus does another miracles — “taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he game them to the disciples and them gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.”
So why do we worry? Why do we fret? Why are we not comforted to know that God knows the plan. He has us in his hands and he will not only provide for us he will purpose our steps. He will make a way for us. He will be our God and our guide no matter what coms our way.