Jesus has come home but it’s not so welcoming any more. Opposition tests him, demanding evidence that God is with him. Israel has always been like this, wanting God to prove himself before they’ll trust him. Jesus will have none
An act of kindness
Still outside of Israel, Jesus’ behaviour is not like at home. He is not yet these people’s king. Nonetheless, he has compassion on a large crowd of them after 3 days together. He has food but they do not, so
No picnic
Jesus’ work and the first apostolic mission have made a big impact. If he wants, Jesus could now form an army in the wilderness. But an army “marches on its stomach”, so the disciples tell him to send them off
Run, run, as fast as you can
The apostles bring back a report to Jesus on the state of Israel. Now they need some quiet to rest and talk. But when Jesus takes them away from the populated centres, a huge crowds runs to join them. In