Isaiah 65:24 (NIV)

Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
As you read about Jesus' ministry on earth put yourself in the scene. Allow your senses to
take in the timing and surroundings. In Matthew 14 we see a day in the life of Jesus and his
disciples. It begins with some really bad news: the report that Jesus' cousin, John, has been
beheaded (v12). Hit by this tragedy Jesus went in a boat to be alone (13) to deal with his
grief. As the crowds heard of his whereabouts they followed along the shore hoping to have
their personal needs met.
When Jesus came ashore he was met by thousands of people and his response was
compassion (v14). His tenderheartedness came to him from his Father by the Spirit. It rose
above his personal feelings and was the exact representation of his Father toward you. The
day had been long and painful. The disciplines knew about John's death. Couldn't they have
ministered to the crowds? Jesus had sent them out in chapter 10:1 to heal every sickness and
drive out evil spirits. But Jesus ministered grace to them, overlooking this, and healed the sick
in this huge crowd of more than 5,000 people. Then he looked beyond that to meet the
circumstances as evening came.
Realizing that many of them were a long way from home and most likely had nothing to eat
there anyway since most food was prepared daily, spoke to the disciples about feeding them
all. Hundreds of people had just received healing in a relatively short period of time. It had
broken out everywhere. The disciples had most likely been trying to keep some sort of order
and must have been tired themselves, but now they were directed to take a tiny portion of
food to thousands and everyone got their fill. Just think of what they experienced and how
their minds must have been racingtragedy, healings, miracles.
As soon as the leftover food had been gathered Jesus sent his group off on a boat while he
sent the crowd away and went to pray alone (v22-23). It had become completely dark and a
storm had overtaken the boat. The disciples were no longer talking about what happened but
were struggling to stay afloat and make it to land. They saw a shadow coming toward them on
the water and were terrified. Jesus assured them of himself and Peter sought to imitate Jesus
who saved him as he began to sink, while questioning his faith. Peter had seen hundreds
healed, thousands fed and walked on the water but a glance at the surrounding
circumstances had negated everything and yet Jesus met his need.
Jesus had not only demonstrated God's power but his character, his very nature. He
prepared our solutions before we even see our problems. It is his greatest desire for our lives
to be abundant, not only for our benefit but to demonstrate his love to those who walk in
darkness and fear. We are his only hope for them. While he never forgets that we are dust
(Ps. 103:14), temporarily living in this world, his Spirit has brought life to our spiritthe same
Spirit that raised Christ from the dead (Rom. 8:11).
There is very little, if anything, in this world that stays the same, but our God is always the
same. His love and compassion never fail.