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.  When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

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.”   Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”   “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said.  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.  They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matthew 14:13 – 21

Few stories in the New Testament are as sad and heartless as the life and horrible death of John the Baptist.  Jesus was aware of what was happening to his cousin, John, but he did not do a thing to try to release John from prison or to protect John from his terrible death.  The sad story concludes, “His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.  Matthew 14:11, 12.  Is there anything more horrible than that – John’s severed head on a feasting platter, like a dead goat, ready to be cooked!  There is no language to describe this.

The ways of God are not always gilded and pleasant.  As in the case of John, it is all confusion and darkness.  Even for Jesus, the burden John is bearing is beyond heavy.  Matthew tells us that Jesus boarded a boat and proceeded to a solitary place, probably one of Jesus’ special spots where he spoke with his Father.  Even that plan did not work on this occasion for no sooner than he pulled his boat to shore the crowds were there with their sick and needy.  Not a moment of solitude.

Jesus not only served the crowd with healing, etc. he had compassion on them because they had nothing to eat.  So, Jesus had them sit down, took a few fish and loaves of bread that the crowd could scrape up, and proceeded to bless what was in his hand and then broke fish and bread, enough to meet the needs of all, 5,000 plus!

I am struck with these two scenes, John’s beheading and this marvelous feeding.  Is this not our fare as well?  We would like an easy road, every day, but we know that is not to be.

For me, at my age, I pray that I might meet each situation with love and courage, no matter if pleasant or unpleasant.  It all works together for good to those who love God.  So, Lord of all wisdom, grant me and those who read these words to rest in you with full assurance that Jesus has infinite compassion still!