The Faithful Four Thousand

"In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them, "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 8:1-3

These first few verses are the beginning of the miracle of the feeding of the 4,000. I was studying it in preparation for my Small Group Bible Study. What struck me in examining these first few verses was Jesus words and the insight that they bring. First, He had compassion on them. He said "I feel compassion".

Second, He explains why. It said that it was "because they have remained with Me now three days". Therefore, these people had come out into the wilderness to meet Jesus and have now spent 3 days away from their homes. That's 72 hours.

What strikes me about this is that they have placed their health on the line to listen to what Jesus has to say. They desired to hear from Him so badly that they remained with Him even when they ran out of food. Interestingly, it is for this reason that Jesus had compassion. He states "because they have remained with Me… If I send them away… they will faint."

What I want to suggest is that these followers were putting into practice the very principle He taught in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6. Therefore, Jesus took it upon Himself to care for them just as His Heavenly Father would. In Matthew 6:31-33 we read His words:

"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Here's the point. Jesus says to you and me: "You seek first God's kingdom and let God take care of your needs. Don’t worry about anything - including your basic needs of life. Don’t worry about food and clothing. Your Heavenly Father knows you need them. Focus only on the Kingdom."

Powerful words to take heed. Set your eyes upon God and His Kingdom and allow Him to take care of everything else. When you do, you will behave just like "the Faithful Four Thousand".