Three Days With Jesus
“Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.”Matthew 15:32 (KJV)
Before the second feeding, Jesus said something tender about the crowd. “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.”
Three days. These people had stayed with him so long that their food was gone. They weren’t following him for bread. They had run out of bread following him. And Jesus noticed.
“and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.” He cared about the road home. He knew they still had a journey ahead, and he wasn’t going to let them make it empty.
Then he asked his disciples, “How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.” Not much for thousands of people. But enough in his hands. If you have stayed close to Jesus and feel empty, he sees it. He has compassion on you, and he won’t send you away to faint.
Count it yourself
The crowd had been with Jesus 3 days (Matthew 15:32), and the disciples had 7 loaves (15:34).
Have you run out of something while following Jesus? Tell him about it.
Lord Jesus, you have compassion on those who stay with you. Feed me for the road ahead. Amen.