“As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Matthew 14:13-14 NLT
I’ve never experienced the painful news of a cousin’s beheading like Jesus did, but I know what it’s like to wonder if I’ll ever be “normal” again after a parent’s death or even the death of a dream.
That’s why I’m so amazed at Jesus’ response when crowds flocked to the very place where He’d gone to mourn. Jesus didn’t allow His own pain to keep Him from feeling the pain of others. In fact, Jesus ministered to those people’s needs ALL DAY LONG!
The disciples too were mourning John’s death and asked Jesus to send the crowds away. However instead, when Jesus told THEM to feed the people, their weary response was, “But we have only…”
That’s exactly how I feel when mourning has worn me out—I have only enough to survive, certainly nothing to share! Yet, Jesus told the disciples to bring what they had to HIM, and when they obeyed, thousands of “others” ate all they wanted; PLUS, “The disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers.” (v.20)
Notice, Jesus did NOT forget His mourning disciples. In fact, He saved a basket of miracles for each one of them!
So even if I'm mourning, when I give my “only” to Jesus, He will multiply it to share with others.
But I can be sure He’ll save a basket of miracles just for me!
