Right is right. I believe in you, and here’s my life to prove it.”
–Zane Grey (Riders of the Purple Sage)
“Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
–Mark 8:37 (NKJV)
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“Those people must be getting hungry, I know for sure that I am,” stated Bartholomew as he rubbed his stomach.
That brought a chorus of laughter from those next to him and a smart remark from one of the youngest, John. “Old man you’re always hungry. Whenever I walk beside you, I can hear that belly of yours rumbling.”
“Let’s get rid of the crowd, I’m ready to go fishing!” exclaimed Peter.
“Fishing?” questioned Thomas looking at the sun’s position in the sky. “You won’t catch anything this time of day.”
“Bah! You’re always doubting,” responded Peter.
Glancing at each other, they went to Jesus, then…
“When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.'”
–Matthew 14:15(NKJV)
Part of my morning devotions are from Matthew, and once in a while I am able to pause and ponder and get a glimpse of what is happening. The above could have been a discussion among the disciples as they watched the crowd, but what I want to focus on is verse 15.
They were near the desert on the edge of the wilderness. Jesus had been dealing with a large crowd and evening was coming on and Bartholomew’s belly was rumbling. The disciples were not unconcerned about the people for they said they should be allowed to visit the villages so they could eat. But look closer: they told Jesus, the Master, what to do. Joseph Parker said this regarding the situation or any situation, “It is always wise to trust omniscience. It is a continual mistake to be making suggestions to divine providence.”
Jesus knows the situation. Jesus knows the needs of the disciples and the crowds. Jesus knows the time of day, He does not need to be reminded. Yet, we are as bad as the disciples, and often not as well-meaning as they were. We presume to tell God what to do. We tell Him to answer our prayers, and to do it this way or that way. Who are we to demand of the Master?
It is almost humorous what Jesus told them to do. “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” (Matthew 14:16, NKJV) There was a rumble (perhaps from Bartholomew’s belly) and there was a grumble, and then there was a question: “How?” They surely were not expecting His response. That’s the way it often is when we presume to tell the Omniscient Christ what to do. He responds in a way that do not expect and often He tells us to do something to meet the need we have told Him about.
Is Jesus with you? Then why the lack of trust? If He is present with you, He has the power to meet every need, every care, every problem and bring comfort and/or delivery. He does not to be told what to do, but we need to listen to what He tells us to do and obey.