The disciples are excited as they report back on their first missionary expedition. Jesus the caring shepherd knows that they now need time to rest with Him (v31). We are not robots who can just continually go on and on. We all need time to recuperate, time for physical rest, time for resting in Christ through prayer and scripture.

They weren’t alone for very long but soon were surrounded by a crowd once more (v33). Jesus’ love can be seen in His response (v34). His compassion was greater than His desire for personal rest.

Jesus’ great concern for meeting physical need is shown in this miraculous feeding of the 5,000. His initial command was to test the disciples’ faith (v37).

We need to ask, have we the vision and faith in the Jesus we read of here, to meet the needs we see around us today? Do we see with faith the Saviour who is greater than the problems around us? As you approach life do you focus just on what you see, or do you live by faith in the unseen.