Have you ever been exhausted? I mean really totally spent? Maybe you are right now. I think the disciples were exhausted. What was supposed to be a quiet retreat with Jesus turned into a full ministry day. At the end, once the crowd was miraculously fed, Jesus sent the disciples on their way. He was going to send everyone home, and then catch up to them. While Jesus prayed, the disciples strained.

How are you at identifying a problem? Jesus and His disciples both encountered the same problem, but their responses were very different. Jesus wanted to rest with His disciples, but upon landing in what they thought was a solitary place, Jesus was confronted with the crowds. Jesus saw them, and saw that they were in need of guidance, so He taught them.

We talked yesterday about the danger of wanting our ears tickled, but keeping our heart unchanged. The problem is, when entertainment is the goal, overtime our hearts are changed by what entertains us the most. When we are enslaved to entertainment, anything is acceptable if it entertains us; anything becomes excusable as “just entertainment.”

Today we live in a culture enslaved to entertainment. Be very careful that you do not just enjoy being entertained by a good teaching or worship music as that can prevent the Word of God from entering into your life and changing you. Living a faith filled life that contains both action and relationship with your Heavenly Father is our calling, not simply being entertained and going about life as usual.

What can we learn from this passage? Here are some takeaways:

1. Two by two - the disciples went out in a way that protected their witness and held them accountable. 

2. Take nothing extra - they were to trust in God’s provision for them.

3. Don’t take an extra cloak…