Brevity And Security

Jesus said, Have the people sit down. There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. John 6: 10.

Just as with Beauty, there is Brevity all around. I draw your attention now, to the brevity in the proceedings, for the sheep, in the actions performed by Jesus. We are taking brevity in this understanding to mean, short, concise, precise and totally adequate. There’s brevity in Jesus’ calling and brevity in Jesus’ timing. There’s no prolonged undecidedness or lengthy questioning and discussions on the matter. For sure, there’s certainly and absolutely no kind of procrastination in what is being done. Let’s follow closely here, as we come to learn and appreciate more of the Jesus whom we love, follow and serve – our green pastures, providing Shepherd.

There is brevity in alertness of the Shepherd, when He sees the sheep coming. He sees hungry sheep, and even before they arrive, while they are still coming, He proceeds to say to Philip, His disciple, Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat. Jesus our Shepherd knows, all about us and He wastes no time in preparing for our needs. Is there not the alertness of the green pastures of spring, where sheep find food more readily available than in times of winter? Is it not true that in your winter seasons, when you are snowed under, over and around, by great trials, problems, misfortunes and such, they seem to take over your life and worry becomes your constant companion? You tend to see the Lord as far from you, not as when you are seeing His daily sunshine in your life and you feel that He is with you.

There is brevity in preparedness of the Shepherd. We are told that Jesus only asked Philip that question to test him, for He already had in mind what His procedure would be. Our Jesus is always prepared for us, regardless of our present, needy conditions. He never has to wait. He is always prepared. Is there not the preparedness of the green pastures, where the sheep, without even knowing this, are coming to receive green pastures? What a Jesus we serve!

There is brevity in astuteness. Listen to this. Andrew, another disciple, comes to Jesus with a child who has his lunch with him. I really don’t know the thinking of Andrew, but I believe that he wanted to make it clear to his Master that the only food around, was a kid’s lunch pack, not even an adult’s. He seemed to be wanting to put some sense into his Master, as it were, who seemed not to understand the impossibility of the situation. Listen to Andrew, after he shows Jesus the kid’s meal, But how far will they go among so many? Jesus doesn’t even respond to him, but proceeds in pure astuteness. In His wisdom, He simply tells His disciples to have the people sit down on the grass. Don’t forget, there was plenty of grass available. Have you been following the brevity of our Lord’s actions? He is quick, positive, caring and on target with all that He is doing.

We acknowledge that Jesus did take His personal sheep, as it were, to the Green Pasture for refreshing and reinvigorating. We also acknowledge that Jesus, welcomed other sheep who had followed Him, for He never turned them away. In accepting them, He had the wisdom and power to take care of their needs. It is the time of spring and the brevity of our Lord’s astutely working Hand, is most evident. It is a time for renewal and rediscovering the living, working power of Jesus. Have you ever thought of this? When Jesus took His disciples on that mountainside, away from the hustle and bustle of the demanding work, it was a time of spring for them. I say that because it was in this time, they were made to see their Master in action, as He prepared green pasture for thousands of hungry people. Do you believe that? Does your faith allow you to believe such an impossibility? If your faith allows you this belief, then you are lying down in green pastures, right now, for if the Lord you and I serve, can feed thousands, He can certainly feed you.

Again I ask, as you search your hearts, will you believe and accept that today is your time of spring? Your winter is over and you are in the Brevity of the Proceedings of Jesus, our Green Pasture. You do not have to work out anything for yourself, in this time of spring. The Lord will do it all for you.