Luke 9:10-17: Picnic Time

The disciples' Mission Improbable has gone well. Jesus knew it would, and with a quiet inward smile he arranges for some quiet time with them for a debrief. But perhaps one of the disciples dropped a hint that they were headed for Bethsaida, and the crowd followed.

What was meant to be an intimate and concentrated time with his inner circle has turned into another of Jesus' mass teaching sessions. Never mind! He welcomes the crowd with a smile and sets to work.

Why did that disciple do it? Why tell the crowd where to follow? Adlai Stevenson once said "Adulation is alright so long as you don't inhale." I suspect that disciple had sucked the atmosphere of approval in very deeply indeed, and wanted another fix.

What he got was a bit more than he bargained for.

The crowd hang around all day, and by evening they're tired and hungry, and the disciples have their work cut out trying to keep them under control. Time for that quiet time with Jesus after all, they think.

So they go to Jesus with a sensible idea: “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”

But Jesus said, "You feed them."

You wanted the crowd? You look after them.

Panic ensued in the disciples' minds. A rapid appeal for help amongst the assembled masses yields only a poor result - less than one packed lunch amongst 5000 people. Back to Jesus they run: "What are you expecting us to do? Buy enough food for this lot??"

In other words, "Jesus - help!!"

They may have had a good time out on their mission. They may have experienced God's power flowing through them as they preached and stretched out their hands to heal. But right now, they're running on empty.

It is left to Jesus to demonstrate once again how deep are the wells he draws from.

Mass catering? No problem for the Messiah.