Jesus Teaching in the Desert

40. Report of Associates on their Tour
41. Jesus Teaching in the Desert

Let’s project on these passages a bit. Jesus sees that many people are hungry for his teachings, more than he can minister to on his own. He had hoped to multiply the number of available messengers by training his disciples, but after sending them out the first time, he realizes that they have not understood, and never sends them out again.

But the need for teaching continues to grow: “And Jesus came forth and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a Shepard: and he began to teach them many things.”

You can see how Jesus’ concern would have been great. His people are headed toward a confrontation with the Romans that they will not survive; he has a message that offers a new alternative; people seem hungry for the message, but he is only one person -- he cannot minister to them all. And his disciples, who he was hoping could help spread the word, are totally out to lunch.

What to do? As was his practice, he goes to pray, to seek guidance on how to proceed.

It could be that by now Jesus knows his mission will fail – not even those closest to him are able to understand -- and that he does not have long to live. As a result he may have decided in the remaining days left to him to make as big a splash as possible, in hopes that his words will make a strong enough impression to outlast him and take root in the minds of future generations. For from now on, his teachings are direct, unguarded and, as far as the religious authorities are concerned, highly confrontational.