Our paragraph topic is: (Hunger of the crowd) Part 2.
And the people were lost. The people needed a leader. John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod and Christ was there to fulfill their needs. For when he arrived from the boat, the people were waiting. The people were in need. The people had come from all around to hear his words, to see his face, to be near him that they may be comforted. For chaos had come. Fear had come. Doubt had come since the word spread of the murder of John the Baptist. For John was their beacon. John was their voice. John was their inspiration for the things that were to come. John baptized the people. John called the people to repent. John told the people of the coming of the Messiah. And then he was gone.
And Christ came ashore and saw the crowds. And Christ came ashore and saw the people waiting. And Christ came ashore and saw the need in the hearts of the men, women, and children. And Christ came ashore and he cured the sick that they may believe. But then the disciples came, the disciples that followed Jesus and knew of his teachings. But then the disciples came, the disciples that knew of the power and majesty of Christ. But then the disciples did not know. The disciples did not see. The disciples did not understand the truth of the Christ they followed. For they were concerned about the people. They were concerned about the needs of the people that they did not believe that they could fulfill. They did not understand that they followed Christ who could fulfill all needs. They did not understand that they followed a Christ who was the fountain of satisfaction. They did not understand that they followed a Christ that was filled with the spirit of fulfillment and they did not know.
So they came, with their concerns of their own needs for feeding the people. They did not believe. They did not understand. Their needs were pressing upon them so they brought them to Christ. Now when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, "This is a desert place and the hour is already late; send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."
So often today we see the same scene repeating itself. Many, come to a place of spiritual worship, seeking. They come seeking hope. They come seeking faith. They come seeking relief. They come seeking truth. They come, with their needs, seeking fulfillment. And what do they find? They find momentary relief. They find momentary hope. They find momentary faith. But they do not find lasting peace, they do not find lasting fulfillment. For we do not give them what they seek. We only give them a daily piece of bread, we give them something that will only last for a moment. For we do not know. We do not understand. We do not believe that Christ is our satisfaction. Man is not our satisfaction. Pastor is not our satisfaction. Priest is not our satisfaction. Apostle, nor preacher, nor minister, nor anyone can be our satisfaction. God is our satisfaction and through Christ we have the opportunity to find eternal satisfaction, eternal peace. But man does not lead us to Christ. Man turns us to himself.
Preach the gospel! Preach the word! Tell all the nations about the Christ who came down from heaven to save the world. Be the shepherd! Lead the people! But where do you lead them? Do you lead them to the church? Do you lead them to the synagogues? Do you lead them to the temples, the places of worship? Resoundingly, we say yes. But why do they still need? Why do they return again and again to hear the same sermons, the same preachings, the same words without having some relief. Christ saw the need in the people. Christ knew the satisfaction that would fill the hole in their hearts. Christ was their need. If you do not know Christ how can you lead someone to him? If you do not know Christ how can you show someone how to find him? If you do not know Christ how can you tell someone how to find the satisfaction they seek? If you do not know Christ how can you demonstrate hope and faith and love? Is Christ in you? Can you show the people the way to Christ. Words will not get them there. Only your example of knowing him will show the people the way to their satisfaction. If you do not now the way how can you lead?
