Page 480 - Bible History

CHRIST FOUNDS HIS CH 453
city and the crowds, they could rest their bodies and refresh their souls.
But in spite of all their precautions, someone had seen them sail away. Then, too, the winds were against t em and it took them much longer to sail across the lake than they had expected. News of their departure had spread among the people and they followed Jesus, some by boat and some by walking around the lake. Thus when the ship reached the shore, Jesus and the apostles found a great crowd awaiting them.
Passing through the midst of the people, Jesus and His apostles went on into the wilderness. Soon they came to a grass-covered hill and they sat down on the ground to rest.
But there was to be no rest for them that day. The crowds followed after them and soon they were sur­ rounded by about ve thousand people.
Jesus had pity on the multitude. He could not send them away, because they were like sheep without a shepherd and they had come to Him to learn the secrets of the love of God. So He forgot His own wearine and spoke to them all day long of the Kingdom of God and healed all their sick.
The day was now far spent and the shadows of the1 evening began to close in upon them. The apostles came to Jesus and said, ''This is a desert place, and the hour is late. Send the people away that, going into the town and villages, ey may nd food and lodging.'' Jesus said to them, ''They have no need to go. Give you them to eat." They said, "If we had two hundred pence to buy bread, we might be able to