Scripture Reading: Matthew 10:1-4, Mark 6:7-56
Jesus was the most perfect person ever to walk the earth. Often, we relate it to what He said and did. Rarely do we relate His perfection to His emotional state. But Jesus was perfectly emotional, never overreacting or underreacting in any situation.
When we read about the life of Jesus in the Gospels, we see His heart of compassion. Jesus and His disciples were tired and hungry (Mark 6:30–32). They were looking forward to rest and recovery when the crowds gathered. What did Jesus feel? Compassion.
He didn’t see them as obstacles in the way of self-care. He didn’t see leeches who needed to go away. The most perfect human laid eyes on the crowd and saw lost sheep without a shepherd. In His compassion, He deals with their spiritual need by teaching them and then deals with their physical need (Mark 6:34).
Can’t we relate to the disciples’ reactions to the people? “Come on Jesus, we’re tired, it’s late. We’ve been on a mission trip. Let’s send them away. Hold up, you want us to feed them? Do you know what that would cost us?” I get tired just making a meal for our young church plant. Yet in His tiredness, Jesus takes five little loaves of bread and two fish, blesses them, and satisfies over five thousand people (v.42). His compassionate and costly hospitality is a beautiful example for us. Can people around us taste the hospitality of Christ in our actions?
This narrative also highlights the compassion of God throughout Israel’s history. Jesus is the better Moses all of us have been waiting for. A mediator between God and sinful man, who feeds the people the “manna” of His Word and delivers them from the wilderness of sin and death. Jesus is the better David, the compassionate Good Shepherd who lays down His own life for the sheep (Psalm 23, John 10:11).
And this is how Jesus regards you and me today. He isn’t repelled by our sins and weaknesses. They’re why He came. We were sheep without a shepherd, and He had compassion on us. Are you tempted to think of Him as distant or begrudging? His perfect heart is perfectly compassionate and excited to demonstrate lavish love toward you. Don’t be afraid to approach or need Him. He came so that we might one day be perfectly and finally satisfied forever.
Written by Beverly Berrus
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71 thoughts on "Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand"
Lord I thank you! I love you Jesus I worship and adore you just want to tell you Lord I love you more than anything I lift my hands in total adoration unto you you reign on the throne cause you are God and God alone because of you my cloudy days are gone and I can sing to you this song I just want to say that I love you more than anything! Lord let me continue to love through it all as you have so graciously loved me in spite of you have extended your amazing grace and mercy! Lord I thank you for the love of Jesus and your love for us to let him make the ultimate sacrifice Lord you are good and your mercy endureth forever! He loves us oh how he loved us that he rescued us from sin so we may be free in Christ and those who are set free are free indeed! Love! Love! I love you! Bless you Jesus!
Jesus cares about both our physical and spiritual needs.
Thank you for sharing this! I struggle with the same.
G
“The miracle of Jesus is himself”-Rumi
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51 And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. – Mark 6:51-52
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Thank you all for all your prayers and encouragement. Can’t reply to each of you otherwise I would fill this comment section haha but I read every single one and I’m weeping with gratitude for your prayers. ❤️
Lord, help us and save us too
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I think it’s just drawing near to his word and commandments. Being in the state where you are able to surrender it all and ask God for divine healing. If the time is right, God’s will be done. Praying for you!
Sarah Miller- loved your message today! I feel the tiredness and the desire to rush through bedtime routines. Tonight my son was just not having it and wanted me to spend some more time with him after a busy day. I am thankful I did and then I read your message affirming it!
He isn’t repelled by our sins and weaknesses. Wow everyone, did you catch that? Are we loving others like that, or do we expect others to clean up first? Thank you Lord, for your example of love and service in the feeding of the five thousand
First of all, I had no idea that John the Baptist died that way. I’m sure it was all in Gods plan, but why? Out of a grudge? It seems odd and our if place? But I did notice that Herod didn’t want to kill him – he knew God had made him righteous and I’m sure he feared for his life after that. But then there’s Jesus – who never tires of loving others. Who always gives with everything he’s got because he knows it’s not coming from himself. It’s coming from his Heavenly Father who can also give me the same stengrh. When I hear “mom” for the seven millionth time that day or feel needed by one more person, I don’t have to be enough. God can be.
Thank you Jesus for being emotionally perfect for me!!!
Anyone who touched His robe was healed!!! Amazing. I have been praying for my healing for years. Lately healing scripture jump at me. So wondering how do I touch the robe of Jesus? I know it’s not literal but trying to dig deep
Anyone who touched His robe was healed? I have been praying for my healing for years. Lately healing scripture jump at me. So wondering how do I touch the robe of Jesus? I know it’s not literal but trying to dig deep
Like many of you, the verse that grabbed me fully today was : “For they CONSIDERED NOT the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was HARDENED”. What caused their hearts to be hardened? The storm? The toiling? Likely yes. Pharaoh’s heart was too hardened in the plagues. The disciples sore afraid and troubled, they were tempted to think otherwise of their Master. We should watch out for the condition of our hearts when in troubling times, when in the deep valley of suffering, not on mountain top, but the drudgery valley, that is the EASIEST time our hearts are tempted to consider not the Lord or His promises. We can be tempted to distrust God, to unforgive God for allowing things to happen.
Praying…
@Jeni B: you’re a hero. May God hold your hand and go before you to provide every physical needs, emotional needs, protection for you, 3 kids and your ex husband.
@Tara B: praying for grace for everyone in your family. May compassion, calmness, gentleness, healing words be with you all to soften any tensions/hardships.
@Dorothy: “mentally perfect” vs. “emotionally perfect”, thank you for this. Only by God’s power that this could be achieved. Totally impossible for us… but possible with God.
@Lolly Regan: I echoed your prayer. I too need to learn to show compassion and endurance to my dear husband, who is a wonderful gift from God.
@Lehua K: praying for your new promotion/transition to go smoothly, with confidence in God’s leading, no anxiety or fear. More focus for your side hustle.
@Taylor: sorry that your account got hacked :( Praying for God’s protection over your personal information and the reinstating of the account.
@Michelle P: grace for new strength and more patience to endure (Isaiah 55:12). Hugs to you.
Be blessed dear sisters.
Trust God and lean not on our common sense/understanding.
Dear Jeni, prayers for you, your boys and your step daughter. You are doing the right thing by opening your heart and home to her. Jesus will be with you all as you begin a new chapter in your life. May you feel His presence and peace during this challenging time. He loves you all!
@Michelle Patire, prayers for renewed joy to fill your heart. He understands your temporary frustrations and sadness. May a break through of blessings be right around the corner!
@ Taylor prayers for you for corrections to your hacked account.
@ Le??? (Forget the spelling) lifting you up for peace and confidence as you begin your new job with responsibilities. May Jesus guide you and your decisions.
Lord please allow me to have compassion on my husband. Help me to see him as a sheep without a shepherd and serve him in love. Please teach me to let go of my selfish fears and protection methods so that I might show him the hospitality and love of Jesus… the one who came for us, loved us in our filth, and died so that we might be together ❤️ amen
When I read what Beverly wrote about Christ being “emotionally perfect”, I thought how true that is. But I also thought, “This would mean Christ is mentally perfect”. How many times have I emotionally or mentally had a breakdown and not fully understood why? Jesus’ compassion for everyone — even those who persecuted Him — has always amazed me.
Father God help me when I emotionally or mentally struggle through my life problems, remind me to turn to You and Your Word and Your Son, Christ Jesus to get me through. I know You are always with me. Amen
Be blessed and turn to God, Christ and the Holy Spirit even in emotional and mental crises because they ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR YOU sisters.
I ended up reading both she reads/ he reads truth devotionals today. Both were so helpful, and this sentance from HRT stood out to me: God let me participate in the miracle of abundance even though I brought nothing to the equation but myself.
I struggle a lot with feeling inadequate in my business. So much to learn and so much I don’t know. Yet God is blessing it. I need to remember this when I get down on myself.
Jeni B- Praying for you and your family. God will provide even if you can’t see how. He will do it.
Taylor- so sorry to hear about your Spotify! I love mine and would be so distraught if this happened. Praying everything gets sorted out soon.
Lekua (I hope I spelled your name right!) Praying for your transistion time in your work, that God gives you peace as you step into your new role. Prayer for your side business that it florishes!
“Can people around us taste the hospitality of Christ in our actions?” This line of the devotional struck me as so powerful today, especially in light of all the fighting and division in our society today.
Jones – praying your prayer alongside you!
Lehua K – praying for peace in your job transition & your side business. That the Lord would bless both and guide your growth!
Taylor – praying the “side effects” of your hacked account are minimal & that your Monday improves!
All Sisters – may we all strive to show the compassion of Christ to those around us, forgive ourselves when we fail and harness the Lord’s strength to get up and try again. That our eyes would be open to the opportunities he gives us to participate in His work as the apostles did in feeding all those people!
Mk 6:41 ‘ … he kept giving the bread & fish TO THE DISCIPLES to give to the people.’
@JENI B – the He Reads Truth devo had this that might encourage you “Even when I feel incapable, God reminds me that I simply need to show up and trust him.”
“And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.”
Colossians 3:17
It’s no small thing you’re doing so offer it to the Lord and He will bless it as only He can! Prayers and love to you sister!
JENI B – I will keep you in my prayers. 14 is such a hard age for a girl. I’m praying you can show her love and compassion in a world were it is lacking.
I can relate to the disciples being tired. I remember being on the phone one time with my son at 1:30am. He was in the hospital and I went home to try and get some sleep. He was afraid being alone. There were so many times that I was beyond tired and had to push through. It was easier to do this for my son, but do I do that for others. No. I struggle with the entitled attitude of today. I want to hole up in my house and be alone. I’m sure Jesus was tired and would have loved rest.
I can just see the disciples like ‘come on, we are tired’ and then amazed at the miracle. @Jeni B sending prayers.
I love that we see the compassion of Jesus. It is easy at times and other times I am just annoyed with people. Praying we can show compassion to those around us.
Did something change with the comments? I was able to see my comment right away before, and now when I post, it shows my comment is awaiting moderation. But when I commented yesterday it worked fine. Maybe it’s the length?
It’s neat to read this while watching the current season of the Chosen… I couldn’t name all of the disciples before, and now I can remember them and imagine how it may have been for them, being so close to Jesus and following Him.
Today, what stood out to me was the question “Can the people around us taste the hospitality of Christ in our actions?” I admit, more often than not, no… not really. Another question that I’m reflecting on is what drives me? Instead of being driven by compassion like Jesus, I am often driven by anxiety, fear and guilt. I want to be more like Jesus, and have faith and compassion. Lord, please help my unbelief.
Ladies, if you could please pray, I’ve been experiencing a lot of anxiety around my job. It’s my supervisor’s last week and I’m replacing him next week, and I’m dealing with the grief of losing his guidance, the anxiety of filling his shoes, and the uncertainty of how much my raise/promotion salary will be and when. My husband and I have a side business as well that we want to grow this year, and this promotion has been quite a distraction from that. Thank you for your prayers.
Jesus compassionately loves us unconditionally
I realized that I don’t have compassion at times because I forgotten all that He has done for me. At times, I feel that I have failed to see what He has done for me. O my hardened heart!
Lord help me to be present with you. To show the world around me hospitality & your love would pour from me
Amen
Jeni B, I am praying for you to have the peace and strength of God. Of course you are doing the right thing! The 14 year old found courage and comfort to come to you for help. You are her rock these days. Be like Peter who “when afraid and beginning to sink cried out, “Lord, save me”(Matthew 14:30). May God our Father give you strength. He is in the middle of your storm (Mark 6:48).
Thank you, Beverly, for this beautiful devo. Compassion was our topic at Sunday school yesterday!
LADIES, I just noticed something this morning: Under the Scripture reading (on Kindle) is ‘Go deeper’ which has some great additional info! It’s just below the bar that says READ MORE. I have never seen this option before; I’ve only seen footnotes and read more.
Bless you, Jeni B, for taking her in, giving her a home, security, and love. Just keep loving on all of those kiddos. God will give you all that you need and abundantly more. Your are a blessing.
Hugs to all ❤️
@Jeni B– wisdom and peace to you. I pray your ears are tuned to the Holy Spirit and not the voice of those who surround you. He will guide you and give you clarity in this tough time. Be still and let Him lead you <3
The verse that stuck out to me was the hard hearts of the disciples even after witnessing a miracle (Mark 6:52). I can relate a bit. God has done so much good in my life, yet lately, I recognize I have let the pain of my circumstances harden my heart towards Him. I was worshipping yesterday with guitar and I recognized I did not really long for Him or His presence, like I should. I have been "doing" and "saying" the right things, but I realized as I sung to the Lord I was bitter and hurt, still. So, this is relatable… The disciples prob felt hurt and overwhelmed by all this stuff going on. I think of the Chosen episode I just watched (so 4, I'm a bit behind) when Peter is having arguments and tension with his wife for leaving to follow Jesus. It is not easy to follow Jesus, but it is worth it. May my heart be softened.
Praying for you
Jesus had compassion on them. He saw the crowd, He knew their need – they were the lost sheep of Israel…I pray that I learn to have more compassion for others and they for me. We don’t always know all the circumstances, but we don’t have to. We just need to follow in Jesus steps – help others when we can, teach them, love them, show them compassion.
@Jeni B – praying for you this morning. May God abundantly bless you for opening your home to this young girl in need. May He give you a special love for her, and may she see Jesus at work through you. May He give you the emotional, physical and spiritual strength that you need in sorting it all out. Blessings my sister!
Happy Monday to you all!
Yes! I’m with you there!
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Praying @Jeni B. That’s a lot. But it sounds like you are showing Jesus to all 3 kids.
Amen’
He had compassion on them. Sometimes in my flash I lack compassion for my children when I am tired. This passage seems as amazing as all of the miracles. Letting my heart dwell on Hos compassion today.
Hi ladies! Unfortunately my Spotify account was hacked so my entire devotional time was taken up sorting that out. So scary seeing the changes they made to my account and the information they might have access too now :/ I hope everyone is having a better start to their Monday!
Today I’m reminded that we all need rest at times. God, help me to rest in you.
A striking message in this reading today! Jeni B, praying for you and your family. Your compassion is lovely.
This phrase stood out to me today, written by Beverly, “Can the people around us taste the hospitality of Christ in our actions?”
I get overwhelmed and grouchy with my kiddos ( the asking never ceases :). Help me to have a servant’s heart, have compassion and steady my emotions to become more like you, Jesus.
This phrase stood out to me today, written by Beverly, “Can the people around us taste the hospitality of Christ in our actions?”
They were completely astounded, 52 because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.
This verse stuck out to me. Have been longing to see and hear God in my life for several years now. Have felt dejected, blaming myself and past mistakes for the silence, trying very hard to pray for my heart and eyes to see again. Please Father, in Christ I am whole, please forgive anything I have done knowingly or unknowingly and do not hide your face from me. I long to see You. Help me to see with right eyes, have right thinking, and resoften this heart so it will know You again. Have compassion on me. Amen.
I love that she points out Jesus didn’t see the crowds as an obstacle to “self care.” We are so quick to think of ourselves and our own interest, but Jesus put others before himself. What a great example of humility Jesus it for us.
Jeni B- praying for your situation! It has to be difficult, but you are showing Christ to all 3 of the kids by your servants heart. I also saw Jesus’ steady emotions and I am praying I can become more like Him in this way. Being pulled between 2 teenage daughters and an almost pre-teen son (4th grade/one month shy of turning 10) and a husband who has lived in our basement for over 3 years…my emotions can be all sorts of places. But I pray I can steady those emotions; Lord, lead my heart. Lead my head. Lead my tongue. So that I can be slow to speak but quick to hear; to love and serve well. Forgive my impatience and irritability. I need You always. In Jesus Name, Amen
Jeni, I can relate to your situation. In seminary and the earlier days of our ministry in small churches God sent us several young girls. We lived in small personages and struggled at times to put food on the table. Our Lord always provided fox us and for these hurting girls. Though we’ve lost touch with them over these intervening years, my prayers are still with them as I know God is. He will provide for you financially, spiritually and emotionally as you lean in on Him. Thank you for the compassion you showing this young girl! Blessing to you this day.
Praying for you Jeni.
Galatians 6:9,
“Do not grow weary in doing good. At just the right time you will reap a harvest of blessings if you do not give up.”
Jenni B, I said a prayer for your today. I know God sees you and hears your cry and will give you the wisdom and provision you need as you continue to look to him.
Lifting you in prayer JenI B. ❤️
Lord that I can be faithful, compassionate and true to Your Word by the power of the Holy Spirit in me. In Your powerful name Jesus, Amen.
Sending prayers your way!
These verses caught my attention this morning –
Mark 6:51-52 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.NKJV
We know this from other parts of Scripture- that the disciples didn’t fully comprehend or grasp Jesus’ being the Son of God, the Messiah, even though they were seeing the miracles with their own eyes, and were given the power by Him to go out and heal. When it came to feeding this group (my understanding is that it was many more than 5000 – that the number of men were about 5000, plus women and children), they were somewhat sarcastic. And even seeing that everyone was fed with what started as basically a handful of food, vs 52 reads like they still didn’t understand due to hard hearts.
Lord, help my faith to keep my heart from being hard, especially when prayers are answered not on my timeline, but Yours.
LYNNE FROM AL – praying for you, Jack and caregivers
JENI B – even in a difficult situation, you are stepping up and showing Christ’s compassion to your stepdaughter. Praying all needs will be met as you show her His love.
Wow. JENI B I am praying for you and your family. Praying that you stay strong and at peace, that your boys and that 14 year old girl see Jesus in you.
To be compassionate like Jesus is the calling I want. I am definitely a cynical and negative person though. People do gravitate towards me and tell me things, but as they get to know me, they leave. I want to be someone people trust.
I’m praying for you Jeni B. You are in a tough position but I feel like you are doing the right thing God will provide.
Although the passage does not specifically say it, Jesus had compassion on the disciples too
“Well into the night, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Very early in the morning he came toward them walking on the sea” (Mark 6:47-48).
He has compassion on me in my struggles too ❤
JENI B – praying the Lord gives you wisdom and provision to meet the needs of this vulnerable young girl.
What really spoke to me today was Jesus’ ability to perfectly handle his emotions. This is something I struggle with. My prayer is for Jesus to step in when I let emotions get the best of me.
What struck me today is that some of the disciples we only know because they are mentioned here. They never seemed to have said and done anything „worth mentioning“ in either of the four gospels. And yet Jesus gave them authority and they Must have been faithful enough to become the first apostles after Jesus was gone. That’s an encouragement for all of us working und the background. God sees us and empowers us all the same. :)
That’s something that I’ve been noticing a lot; how Jesus was so calm and centred through all the stuff that was happening around him, all the needs and expectation that were pressing on him, and the scrutiny he was under from the religious leaders.
My 2023 has started off pretty chaotic. I’m a few weeks away from my divorce being finalised and my ex’s 14 year old daughter has had to come and stay with me because her housing situation had broken down (she’s in the care system). I’m often wondering if I’m doing the right thing, friends are counselling me that my two young sons are already going through a lot, that I’ve been through a lot and I’m not her blood relation so it shouldn’t be expected of me. But when she turned up on my doorstep I felt compassion for a child who has nowhere else to go. It’s cramped in my two bed, she’s sleeping on the sofa and I’m definitely feeling the cost of having another mouth to feed. My ex is trying to do the best he can to support, but he’s also going through a lot (hence the divorce) so a lot of it falls on me.
Even writing all of this out, I’m wondering if I’m still doing the right thing, but then thinking back to Jesus’ compassion and how the 5,000 were miraculously provided for, I think… let me take this one day at a time, keep praying and have faith that even though I can’t see how things will end or what the solutions are, God is already at work. Please pray for me sisters.
Great thoughts today, Beverly! Sometimes I am annoyed by my “crowd” of five children (fighting, bickering, whining -the same issues over and over) instead of seeing their needs and having compassion on them. I am also not always seeing the spiritual side of things. Even meeting their physical needs I have trouble seeing the spiritual side of it, but I know it is connected. Sometimes I feel I am pulled every way I am so distracted. Wish I had more time to focus-and yet these days time flies by- of which I’m glad because I am oh so tired!
I often wonder how the 12 felt. In awe of Jesus’s wonder. Imagine what it was like to see him walk on water. To heal. God is still working miracles in our lives. My daughter is a heart warrior who needed open heart surgery to save her life.. everyday I thank God for his miracle. For gifting us with my daughter. For teaching me to be flexible in HIS plans for me.
I hope today you too take time to enjoy in Gods miracles!
I often wonder how the 12 felt. In awe of Jesus’s wonder. Imagine what it was like to see him walk on water. To heal. God is still working miracles in our lives. My daughter is a heart warrior who needed open heart surgery to save her life.. everyday I thank God for his miracle. For gifting us with my daughter. For teaching me to be flexible in HIS plans for me.