12/7 Matthew 15:32

³² Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way."

On Jesus return trip from an excursion through the Gentile region of Decapolis, He stopped near the shore of Galilee to minister to the crowds that had followed Him. They must have been comprised mostly of Gentiles from those cities He passed through. For three days He taught and healed somewhere along the southeastern shore. He had previously fed the 5000 Jewish seekers on the northern shore. In that account Matthew mention His compassion too. Though He had spent days ministering to their spiritual need, He was also concerned for their physical need of these 4000 Gentiles (and that is only counting the men). If it was true for them, it is true for us as well. Jesus knows your physical needs.

Jesus is unwilling to have us go without our necessities. What a comforting thought. We are often focused on making sure that we have these things, but we should never worry. The One who has all power and who feeds the birds and clothes the grass of the field knows our needs. If we seek His kingdom first and foremost, surely He is unwilling to send us away without the necessities of life (Matthew 6:25-33).

Jesus fed them just like He fed the 5000. He met their spiritual and physical needs, and He will meet ours as well if we will follow Him. As the hymn writer penned, "What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms. I have blessed peace, with my Lord so dear, Leaning on the everlasting arms."

Consider: Are you worried about your spiritual or physical needs? You don't need to be, if you are leaning on the compassionate arms of Jesus.