First, Jesus cares for more than just the task at hand. The apostles are reporting back on all that they have done, and yet Jesus' priority is getting them some rest. Jesus can tell that they are weary, exhausted, worn down, and so they are invited, commanded even, to set some time aside to rest.
I doubt that many of us manage to care for ourselves in that way. We push and we push and we push to go faster and do better and then we feel guilty for not being perfect, for not getting it all done. Take some time, rest. It's critical. Jesus cares for the needs of your soul.
Second, Jesus' heart breaks for the people who are lost, like sheep without a shepherd. I've heard so much in my life that fits the expectation of the old 'Sinners in the hands of an angry God.' People get so caught up on judgment, ready for God to rip people apart. I don't get that impression when I read the Gospels. Jesus genuinely has compassion on the people. He cares for them. He cares for your. Fear not, little children,. Jesus gets to work teaching us, leading us.
Finally, what amuses me about this passage is the crowd is gathered around Jesus, learning from the Master, drinking from the fountain, receiving the one thing they need most, and when it grows late and the needs shift from spiritual to physical, the apostles propose to send them away. They haven't yet grasped that Jesus can meet every need. They have in front of them the one man who can cure everything, who can supply every need, and they're ready to send the crowd away from the solution to their problems. They don't get it.
The apostles often got it wrong. I do, too. You may as well. We perhaps don't fully understand what it means for Jesus to be Lord of all. We try, but we struggle to wrap our minds about Jesus as Lord and Savior.
It's ok. The teacher has compassion on us. The Lord loves us, and invites us in, where we may find a full rest, and peace for our wearied souls, and mercy for our aching hearts.
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