Jesus is in Galilee, having raised to life the dead daughter of Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, and his wife. Did Jesus have the upheaval of that event in mind when he decided to equip and send out his 12 disciples on their own? They had something wonderful to make known – and were given “power and authority over all the mini-gods” and “to heal diseases.” Are these “mini-gods” the emotions and desires within us that harm others - and ourselves? Am I “strengthless” over my “mini-gods” and “diseases”?
And he said to them, “Take nothing for your way! Neither stick, nor wallet, nor bread, nor silver, nor having two tunics each. And whatever house you may come into, stay there! And from there come out! And wherever they may not receive you, coming out from that town, shake away the dust from your feet as a witness upon them!” But, coming out, they came through toward the villages, announcing good and healing everywhere.
Without even a spare shirt to give away, what did they actually do? And what did they actually say when they announced “the realm of God”?
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But Herod the tetrarch heard all the things coming to be, and he was entirely at a loss, through it being stated by some that John was raised from the dead, but by some that Elijah had appeared, but by others that a certain prophet of ancient times was arisen. But Herod said, “John I myself beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he was seeking to see him.
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Whilst the twelve are busy, “Herod the tetrarch” is foxed but interested.
And, returning, the apostles described to him all that they had done. And taking them near, he withdrew from his own place into a town called Bethsaida. But the knowing crowds followed him and, welcoming them, he was speaking to them about the realm of God and was curing those having need of healing.
The mini-mission is over. The 12 disciples are now identified by Luke as “apostles” – sent out ones. Was it a good thing to be one of these? Jesus “took them near” and they went out “from his own place” together…
But the day began to decline and the twelve, coming near, said to him, “Set free the crowd so that, going into the surrounding villages and fields, they may separate and may find a supply, in that here we are in a wilderness place!” But he said to them, “You yourselves - give to them to eat!” But they said, “We ourselves are not more than five loaves and two fish—unless, going, we ourselves might buy food for all these people.” Because there were about five thousand males.
If the disciples were weary (“the day began to decline”), Jesus wasn’t. And his desire was for them to feed the whole huge crowd – with non-existent food – and to teach that crowd as well as be taught. The 12 knew well their total inability regarding life-sustaining food. But he was near.
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But he said to his disciples, “Sit them down in groups of about fifty each!” And they did so, and all sat down. But, taking the five loaves and the two fish, looking up into heaven he honoured, and he broke them and gave to the disciples to set in place before the crowd. And they all ate and were fed and the abundance after them was taken up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
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How many in the crowd were beset by their own “demons”? Did many suffer with “diseases”? Were many “strengthless”? “All ate and were fed.”
“The realm of God” was made known that evening.
What about the “abundance” of the “twelve baskets of broken pieces”? One basket for each of the 12 to distribute? Theirs to distribute and all to be multiplied to the blessing of others.
“Broken pieces”? This man, Jesus, would soon be broken. And his brokenness would transform the world.
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