When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. 

(Matthew 14:13-21 NIV) 

One of my favourite things about Jesus is that He is kind. 

In the account of feeding the 5,000 we see that Jesus didn’t send the people following Him away to get food – He met their need Himself, with great compassion. 

What are you hoping for this Christmas? 

You may have large needs – financial, emotional, physical, spiritual – but what if the greatest need you have is simply the mercy, compassion and kindness of God? 

If this is the case, you are in luck – the Lord has compassion and kindness in multitudes. 

Imagine the scene: 

You have walked around all day following Jesus wherever He went. You like the things that He is teaching and you feel drawn to His character. Something about what He says and does is kind. He seems like a genuinely loving individual. This is something you so desperately need.  

But then night falls, and you haven’t prepared something to eat. 

Your family who are with you also haven’t eaten. You have all been so swept up in Jesus that you are now without a meal. 

The journey to get to food is long. What are you going to do? 

All of a sudden, a disciple of Jesus passes you by, offering a piece of bread and some fish for you and your family. You gratefully receive the blessing and marvel at the kindness of Jesus and His followers. 

This is the kind of individual you can follow. This is the kind of individual you can trust. 

Friends, this is our Saviour. 

He really is this kind.  

At Christmastime this year, take a moment. Pause in the busyness of the season and remember just how deeply loved you are. Remember that your Saviour is both kind and compassionate and receive all of the gentleness and mercy that you need for the journey ahead.