Send Them Away? (#125 of 365+)

My son’s diabetes requires four insulin injections and two snacks every day for his blood glucose to stay within a reasonable range. A strict diet and eating schedule are key to controlling diabetes,
so he has to prepare hours in advance for his meals and snacks. He can never assume that food, or even a refrigerator to store his insulin, will be available later in the day. He has to think about survival. He’s learned from past mistakes to plan for worst case scenarios, as if a disaster might strike at any moment. For example, there was a bomb threat at his school last year. Everyone was forced to evacuate the building and remain outside for hours while the school was searched. When the time came, he couldn’t check his blood glucose level, take his insulin—or even take a glucose tablet because he felt his level was getting too low—because everything was in the nurse’s office and in her refrigerator. When the emergency personnel retrieved everything for him it was a little late. His blood glucose level was out of whack for the rest of the day. So now he understands the importance of carrying all his diabetic supplies on his person wherever he goes.

“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’” (Matthew 14:15-16)

The crowd had been so excited to see Jesus earlier that day they had dropped everything and followed him. They hadn’t planned ahead. They didn’t know they’d end up at a remote beach location without any food. Now their tummies were growling, the sun was about to set, there was little shelter, and the winds were about to pick up (according to later in the chapter). Back then everyone had to think ahead about mealtime, just like my son has to do today. Going a few miles down the road was like a small journey in those days. There were no automobiles or convenient drive-thrus along the way. Even if they stayed home, simple meals like fresh baked bread required preparation well in advance. They didn’t buy bread at the grocery store because there were no grocery stores. They couldn’t even buy flour. They had to ground the wheat for themselves. And having any wheat on hand to make bread that day meant they had either grown the wheat and stored it themselves months ago, or they had borrowed or bought it from someone else who could spare some. Which was very unusual since most people lived day to day. No wonder Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Give us today our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). To have bread at all was a blessing!

The disciples tried to reason with Jesus why he should shut down the ministry for the day. They made it sound as if they had concern for those hungry men, women, and children. After all, the villages were quite a distance away so they should leave immediately to get a meal in before bedtime. But Jesus knew the truth was the disciples lacked compassion. Their own tummies were growling so, while Jesus was still ministering, they had taken an inventory of every scrap of food they had. When Jesus asked the question, they already knew precisely what was available: two fish and five loaves of bread. It was barely enough to feed thirteen grown men. Why should they share, especially with careless people who hadn't thought in advance to pack a light snack for themselves or for their children?

Joni asked if her readers ever had this thought: “If people got themselves into a jam, they should get themselves out”. To be honest, I’ve had that thought before. Let people live with the consequence of their actions. They made their bed, now they have to lie in it. But, when we were helpless to save ourselves, God reached out with grace and mercy. He could have let us perish in our sins, as we deserved, but instead he showed compassion towards us. As a result of being made alive in Christ, I have the awesome privilege (and responsibility) to demonstrate God’s grace to others. This is how God wants all his children to live. And we have the ability to do it because we’re filled with his Holy Spirit.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:4-10).

Lord, help me to lay aside prejudice and judgmental thoughts. May I be a faithful steward of all you’ve entrusted to me. Bless it and multiply it, so everyone's needs will be met. Amen.