Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”...
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”...
Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted...
Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
—John 6:5, 9, 11, 15
The writer of Hebrews described Jesus as the great high priest who has sympathy for our weaknesses because He was tempted like we are. When we read that, do we think of more than His temptations in the wilderness after His baptism?
Or do we also think about the times when He said “you of little faith...” or asked His disciples, “How long do I have to bear with you?” They were with Him during His ministry and travels, they heard His teaching, and they witnessed His actions, but still struggled to grasp what He was about. In other words, they tried His patience.
He gave them opportunities to learn. He asked questions to see whether they understood. And He continued to demonstrate His purpose.
His miracles demonstrated His authority, but the gospels make it clear that they were not just performances for effect. We can consider the number of times that they state explicitly that He had compassion. He fed the hungry.
But He drew the line when they tried to make Him an earthly king.
Bear with Us
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!
—Psalm 29:11
Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”...
“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”...
Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted...
Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
—John 6:5, 9, 11, 15
The writer of Hebrews described Jesus as the great high priest who has sympathy for our weaknesses because He was tempted like we are. When we read that, do we think of more than His temptations in the wilderness after His baptism?
Or do we also think about the times when He said “you of little faith...” or asked His disciples, “How long do I have to bear with you?” They were with Him during His ministry and travels, they heard His teaching, and they witnessed His actions, but still struggled to grasp what He was about. In other words, they tried His patience.
He gave them opportunities to learn. He asked questions to see whether they understood. And He continued to demonstrate His purpose.
His miracles demonstrated His authority, but the gospels make it clear that they were not just performances for effect. We can consider the number of times that they state explicitly that He had compassion. He fed the hungry.
But He drew the line when they tried to make Him an earthly king.