Have a Seat

Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). John 6:10

When it comes to following Jesus, there are times for working, running, sweating and doing. And then there are times for sitting. This was one of those times.

Why did Jesus have the crowds sit down? There are several reasons:

He wanted to better clarify for his disciples who needed to be fed.
He wanted to separate those who had faith from those who didn’t. Not everyone in that crowd sat down, and those who didn’t went home hungry.
He wanted to make it easier for the people to see the miracle. This was no mass-sharing feast where everyone gave a little. This was a miracle of the highest order.
He wanted to teach his followers about dependency.

When you sit down, you’re really not in control. It’s a posture of waiting, of receiving and of dependency. When you sit at a restaurant you’re dependent on the wait staff. When you sit in a classroom you’re dependent on the instructor. When you sit in a salon chair you’re at the mercy of the hair-stylist.

And when you sit before Jesus, you’re completely dependent on him for provision and protection.

The Christian life is all about learning to sit before Jesus, and to do so when provision isn’t so easy to see. This crowd was asked to sit before Jesus multiplied the bread and fish. It was an act of faith. And everyone who sat down ended up satisfied and with more than when they started.

Are you good at sitting? Do you know when to slow your pace down and sit at the feet of Jesus? He wants to feed, teach and heal you. But if you insist on standing–on looking like you’re in control, on taking matters in your on hands, on not looking foolish, on having a Plan B–then you’re going to stay hungry.

Have a seat please. Jesus has something to say.