Just Can’t Get Away

Text: John 6:1-6
Theme: Jesus never forgot his primary purpose was serving people.
Key verses: “After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went…Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him” (v. 1-3). “Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, ‘Where we can buy bread for all these people?’…he already knew what he was going to do” (v. 5-6).
What God said to me: Dwayne, welcome back. I’ve been anticipating these mornings with you again. I have so much to teach you from my Word if you’ll just make time to listen and obey. You will never be able to get too far removed from people. People will wear at you; people will, at times, have selfish motives and seek to drain you; people can sometimes act immature and unable to retain and apply what you teach them; people won’t always appreciate all your sacrifice and service to help them. Yet, you have no choice but help them anyway. Jesus appeared to have gotten as far away as he could from the crowd to the far side of the sea, even climbing a hill just so he could be with his disciples. But when he saw the large crowd of thousands still coming to find him, he didn’t act out in anger or frustration. He didn’t try to run away. He embraced the moment to take care of their hunger and teach his disciples a powerful lesson of faith. He made the most of this inconvenience. Today you may be inconvenienced by people you aren’t close to or particularly fond of. You can run, but you can’t hide. When I bring them to you, find a way by my power to help them. At the same time, you may find a way to teach yourself a valuable lesson in faith.
What I said to God: Holy Lord, you are my all in all. I praise You for being God, infallible, omniscient, omnipresent, awesome King of Kings. I bow my heart and life before You today. Please help me trust You to lead my day and lead me to the ones You want me to minister to. And if You bring them to me, help me step out in faith to serve them in God-sized ways.