All in a Row

 

geese in a row
Coosa River

"So the people sat down in rows, in groups of a hundred and groups of fifty," (Mark 6:40)

For some odd reason, my snapshot of swimming geese all in a row brought to mind a story from the Gospel of Mark chapter 6 (plus the fact that it happens to be May 2nd or 5/2):

When Jesus got out of the boat, He saw a large crowd, and His heart was filled with pity for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. When it was getting late, His disciples came to Him and said, "It's already very late, and this is a lonely place. Send the people away, and let them go to the nearby farms and villages in order to buy something to eat."

"You give them something to eat," Jesus answered. "How much bread do you have?"

"Five loaves and two fish," they told Him.

Jesus then told His disciples to make all the people divide into groups and sit down on the green grass. So the people sat down in rows, in groups of a hundred and groups of fifty. Then Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up into heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of leftover bread and fish! The number of men who were fed was five thousand.

How did Jesus feel when He saw the crowd? His heart filled with compassion.

Out of His heart of compassion, what did Jesus do for the people? He fed them spiritually and physically.

Before He distributed the bread and fish, what did Jesus do? He thanked Father God.

Jesus doesn't change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, still looking compassionately on God's children, teaching us many things through His word, and amply supplying our spiritual and physical needs. Beloved, lean on your Shepherd today, tomorrow, and forever!