Day: 24th August 2026

It had been a very long day. Jesus had just learned of the death of John the Baptist, and though he knew this was coming it still hit home deeply, personally, and the pain of loss was real to him. He needed some ‘alone time’ as we often say now. Yet, a large crowd was following him. Jesus had got in a boat, leaving the area for the other side of the lake, in order to escape the crowds that wanted to make him a physical king (John 6:15). They did not realise that he was truly more than this, nor did they know that now was not the time for his coronation. The crowds still came, seeking what they saw as a salvation from their illnesses, oppression, and suppression. Not perceiving clearly, as Jesus did, they desperately clung to all they knew and understood. We are all like this at times. Jesus wanted more than this for them.

So, the crowd continued to follow Jesus, there was no escape right now, no alone time. Jesus saw them; how could he not. He loved them, he hurt deep inside for them, and he called them all to come to him and sit down to be fed spiritual food. I cannot imagine the noise and the confusion of so many – I avoid crowds. Did they listen intently? Did they argue among themselves about his teaching? I do not know this, but one thing I can be sure of is that Jesus saw them, and Jesus cared about their needs more than they realised. Are there times when you feel that Jesus does not see you? Do you ever think he does not care about your situation? Are we similar to Zacchaeus who climbed the tree to see Jesus, who was not seen because of the crowds, hidden by stature or worth (Luke 19:1-10), desperately seeking recognition?

Jesus fed them spiritual food and before sending them away he fed them physical food to give them strength for the journey. It was no coincidence that they collected twelve baskets of leftovers with nothing being wasted; miraculous food to continue the feeding of the people of God and symbolic of the work the disciples would have to do. After sending the crowds home, Jesus sent the disciples away in the boat to sail to the other side of the lake where he would soon join them. Finally, Jesus got his alone time to pray on the mountainside. After spending himself for others, Jesus needed to refuel himself by connecting to the Father through the Spirit.

While the disciples were on the water, a storm, something some of them were very familiar with being fisherman, rose quickly as it so often did on that lake. How vulnerable they must have felt, how alone. If Jesus were here, he could have done something about it. They knew by personal experience that he was capable of many wonderful and miraculous things. But he could not see them so far into their journey on the lake. Or could he? While upon the mountainside he could see across the lake, but he also had contact with them by the Spirit of God. 

There were many things they would be sent out to do, and they would need help. As the storm rose, he came to them walking on the water (Matthew 14:25). He was God himself after all. What we cannot do, he can. He sees us, he understands our limits, and he comes to us in our need; supporting us in our storms of life. 

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