Remote

Long before it meant avoiding traffic and logging into work at your convenience, remote conjured up a far less positive response.

Remote in the truest sense of the word means away. Away from the mainstream, away from convenience, away from the usual necessities.

When Jesus needed time for himself, He often went remote.

Even then, He was consistently followed by people with needs who didn’t mind the long travel time it took to be with him. (1)

Some prepared the supplies they anticipated would be needed, but since no one could google his itinerary and there were no malls to replenish diminishing supply, it was inevitable that the retinue that followed would run out of necessities.

These were the circumstances under which Jesus brought up the issue of food.(1)

After three days of non-stop ministry, He anticipated problems if the crowd was to be sent away. Some would collapse for ‘they had come a long way’.(1)

Jesus’ commentary of the situation triggered a response from his disciples that reflects the human perspective which most of us tend to have.

How would the problem of supply be addressed from such a remote place? (2)

Fast forward two thousand years and man has all but solved the problem of going remote.

With air travel, satellite internet, shopping delivery, zoom and solar panels, the world has become a global village and people who chose to live off the grid do just fine.

In spite of that, not all supply is easily accessible, even now.

Technology may bridge some gaps but some problems transcend centuries similar to the multitude on the mountainside away from the mainstream.

Need some examples?

The kid you used to love and bounce on your knee now wants nothing to do with you. Things get worse with each passing year and now you don’t know how that divide will ever be bridged.

You made one bad choice or several when you were young and as you look at the chasm between event and consequences, you wonder if its ever possible that you will be free from the scars of your youth.

Or maybe like the multitude you did make the right choice , the choice to follow Christ and His commandments and that choice has alienated you from those you’re supposed to love. Perhaps your choices have been good but have left you at a disadvantage especially when you look around and see others who  didn’t chose Christ doing fine.

Go over the feeding of the four thousand.(3)

We seldom stop to think on the miracles of Jesus because we’ve gotten so used to them; but think about it. Feeding a hundred people -regardless of time in history- has always been a challenge; feeding a thousand? That’s the kind of thing millionaires do.

This wasn’t a crowd of a thousand. It was closer to 10 thousand. 4000 (men) were numbered but a realistic count would likely have revealed at least one woman or child for every counted man.(4)

Turns out God isn’t limited by geography

In a place without Starbucks or Costco, He provided more than enough (5) for the teeming crowd.

At its core, the feeding of the four thousand is a reminder that we serve a God who isn’t hemmed in by our limitations.

God’s heart for his children isn’t remote. He anticipates your individual needs even when you’re hidden among the multitudes. His heart has compassion for you.

You’ll want to remember that the next time you’re in a remote place.

1 Mk 8 v 2-3
2 Mark 8 v 4
3 Mark 8 v 1-13
4 Physiology and Faith: Addressing the universal Gender difference in religious commitment Stark, Rodney 2002
5 Mark 8 v 8