BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

The disciples keep missing the point. They’ve heard Jesus’ teachings and witnessed his miracles, but each time they face a new challenge, it’s like they have amnesia.

When Jesus sends them out to proclaim his message among the villages, he gives them power but no provisions. They’re to rely on God alone, who will feed them through the hospitality of others.

They return hyped up, eager to tell Jesus all they’ve experienced, including God’s reliable provision. But when the crowds catch up to them and the day wears on until everyone is hungry, the disciples can’t imagine where such provision might come from. They suggest sending the people away to buy food.

Jesus surprises them, saying, “You should give them something to eat.” Yes, they should pay forward the hospitality they received and trust God like they had during their short mission. Still, they reply that they do not have enough—even though the miracle-working, life-restoring, Jubilee-bringing Son of God stands in front of them.

So Jesus uses their meager food supply to feed the multitudes until their hunger is gone and only leftovers remain—lots of leftovers.

The disciples have a long way to go before fully grasping Jesus’ mission. But for the Messiah, it’s time to set his face toward Jerusalem and the cross. As you’ll see in today’s video, Jesus predicts his own death and resurrection, explaining that following him means a daily denial of self-centeredness and, instead, embracing love for others.

Still, Jesus’ followers remain bogged down in petty controversies, squabbling over who’s the most important. They try to prevent a demon from being cast out. They foolishly ask Jesus if they should rain down fire on a village as payback for a social snub.

The disciples keep missing the point, but Jesus continues to show them the way.

Reflection Questions

• In today’s reading, Jesus commissions the 12 disciples to go and carry out part of his mission in the nearby villages. What does this reveal about the role people play in God’s mission? Where else have you seen God sending his people to fulfill his mission in the Scriptures?
• In today’s reading, Peter calls Jesus the Messiah, or “Anointed One.” Meditating upon Isaiah 42:1 and 61:1-3, in what ways is Jesus fulfilling the messianic expectations? In what ways is Jesus unlike their expectations? How might this impact the disciples’ understanding of Jesus’ mission?