He Cares about Our Weariness

Matthew 15:32, “Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, ‘I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way’” (NLT).

The gentleness of Jesus strikes me in this verse. He looks out at the crowd before Him and He feels compassion for them. They’ve been with Him for days; eagerly waiting to approach Him and be healed. Many have been suffering for a very long time. And many have been carrying those who suffer.

And they’re tired. And they’re weary. And their strength is fading. And we see Jesus’ tender care for them. He says, “I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” He has concern for them. He genuinely cares about them. And He cares about the stress and weariness affecting their bodies.

This passage reminds me of another time God gently provided for someone’s physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. When Elijah was hiding in the wilderness he sat down in deep discouragement and he said to God (most likely with tears in his eyes) “I have had enough Lord… Take my life…” (1 Kings 19:4, NLT).

But God doesn’t take his life. Instead God lets Elijah fall into a deep sleep. And when he awakes God sends an angel to give him something to eat and drink. Here we see God acting like a loving parent. He listens to the cries of His child. And then, knowing what’s best for him—what will help him the most right now—He gives him rest. And then He cares for his child’s body by tenderly preparing food and water to restore him. God’s tender care gave Elijah the strength to go on (1 Kings 19:8).

Jesus’ tender care for the crowd that day gave them the strength to go on. And our Heavenly Father’s tender care for us today gives us the strength to go on.

Question: Does it feel strange to think that God tenderly cares about your physical well-being? When you think of God, do you see a loving Heavenly Father who cares about your needs—even your physical weariness—and wants to give you rest and nourishment? God provided food for the crowd and for Elijah, but they had to choose to receive it. How do you think God might be leading you to rest in Him today?

Matthew 11:28, "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest'" (NLT).

1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (NIV).

Isaiah 28:12, "God has told his people, 'Here is a place of rest; let the weary rest here. This is a place of quiet rest.' But they would not listen" (NLT).

Isaiah 30:15, 18, "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it... So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help" (NLT).