4    Our High Priest

Matthew 14:

13 When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. When the crowds learned this, they followed him on foot from the cities.
14 When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick.
15 That evening his disciples came and said to him,
"This is an isolated place and it's getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves."
16 But Jesus said to them, "There's no need to send them away. You give them something to eat."
17 They replied, "We have nothing here except five loaves of bread and two fish."
18 He said, "Bring them here to me."
19 He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them and broke the loaves apart and gave them to his disciples. Then the disciples gave them to the crowds.
20 Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers.
21 About five thousand men plus women and children had eaten.
22 Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds.
23 When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone.
(Common English Bible)

At the time of day when His disciples saw how completely exhausted Jesus was, they suggested that He should send the people away.
But He found He couldn't do that.
His concern was that they were all in a very remote place.
Where would close to fifteen thousand people be able to find something to eat close by?

So He Himself took the meagre resources available and fed the people.
Then, after everyone had been satisfied and the remains had been collected, so that everyone had some food to take with them on the journey back home,
finally, Jesus was able to send His disciples off
and then
get some time alone with His Father, and prepare for the next stage of His ministry.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 4:
14 Also, let's hold on to our confession of faith, since we have a great high priest who passed through the heavens,  who is Jesus,  God's Son;
15 because we don't have a high priest who can't sympathize with our weaknesses but instead one who was tested in every way that we are, except without sin.
16 Finally, let's draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help.    (Common English Bible)

When we see how Jesus functioned at this time of stress, we understand that the verses from the book of Hebrews are indeed true, and we can come to Him for help in our times of stress and need.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
today I thank You for the Lord Jesus Christ, who understands how often I must lay aside my own needs in order to be there for those who need me.
Right now though, I take time to come into my own place with You, so I can tell You all my hurts and griefs and get these off my chest.
Thank You that in doing this, I become strengthened and refreshed, because You put me back together again and I can continue to function in compassion,  just like the Lord Jesus did at this time in His life.
Lord Jesus,  I love You  and I draw on Your love for me right now,
Amen.