Sheep – Walking With Jesus – Part II
The Feeding of the 5000 is the only “miracle story” - told in all four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – other than the miracle of the resurrection of Christ. Marks gospel puts the story immediately following the emotionally tiresome loss, of John the Baptist - and just as the apostles are returning to Jesus, having been sent out earlier – on their first mission, to spread the good news about Christ - anxious and full of emotion – to tell Him all about what they had done and taught. The loss of John was no doubt a burden on the heart of Jesus and the apostles. It has been said – and from some “limited” experience, I have found it to be true – Grief, likes to be alone - and with the need to consider, with His disciples - the huge-proportional-experience, in the whole scheme of things - of all that they had been seeing and doing and witnessing ….
… the story goes, that Jesus said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile”. And I suppose, that Jesus was keenly aware of the emotions – that were running extremely deep and potentially – dangerously high, among them. I imagine the mood was rather tender and volatile, and perhaps approached being “out of control”, to one degree or another. I expect He surely knew – that they all could use some time away from the crowds - that were gathering often, to see the miracles that were being done – demons were being cast out and folks were being annointed with oil and the sick and lame were being healed – and well, crowds were gathering from towns all around. It was an epic time – the true identity of Christ was being revealed to the world! God – was revealing Himself to us in the form of His Son! Not just in prophetic stories, told around the dinner table – but in a daily walk – among the crowds – as REAL – ALIVE – and COMPASSIONATE, as the I AM is! This was confusing folk, to be sure – while it was convicting folks, too. It must have been a considerable struggle – to overcome – mistaken identity – and to overcome the human expectations, of just what should be expected, from the Shepherd-Savior-King.
Amidst all of the commotion – the backdrop of “mistaken identity” and the frustration Jesus must have felt - over so much confusion - about His true identity and purpose - - - for all the coming and going – they hadn’t even, time to eat!
So, they went away in a boat to a desolate place, to be by themselves. While, the crowds worked their way along the shoreline – arriving from towns and villages all around – ahead of them – so that when they went ashore, expecting to find some time alone - the crowds were already there!
… and He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd … and He began to teach them many things … and when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said “this is a desolate place, and the hour is late - send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
Now, as the story goes, Jesus used the resources of the sheep who had gathered – five loaves and two fish – to feed them all – 5000 plus! - there in the countryside, on the green grass. 
Maybe its just me … but I am nothing short of STRUCK, by the intimacy of relationship that must have been shared among those gathered there - with the Son of God! – Jesus Christ! - I AM – The Great Shepherd – across the lake – in the countryside – on the green grasses – an emotionally mixed crowd- some haggard – some desperate – some hopeless, discouraged and hungry – - – all Sheep, Walking, with The Shepherd – learning so many wonderful things, like “How to walk, like sheep.” 
I suppose, for Jesus Christ - God’s Son - I Am,… in human form - especially against the backdrop of “mistaken identity” – and the frustration about those who mistook His true identity – - – - – - – while His intention had been to “get away” – to a place of quiet restfulness, peace and tranquility – - – to find Himself among a captive audience of sheep walking along – without a shepherd – this became the perfect opportunity to make His true Identity known - as The Great Shepherd.
I can’t help but sense that our Father God – as desirous as He is of a personal, intimate, daily walk with His children – being there – in the form of His Son Jesus Christ – sitting on the grasses among His children – teaching them many things – hearing and feeling the beat of every heart around Him – knowing the pain and sickness and the sin that burdened each of them – Like Sheep without a Shepherd – Sheep Walking – with Jesus the Shepherd-Savior-King – leading them ….. ummm, “wow!” …
… Sheep Walking …. Walking with Jesus.
next….. Water Walking … Walking with Jesus – Part III
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