This year, Christmas Day fell upon Sunday, the Lord’s Day. These are two days which are considered very important to the majority of people living on my own native Island. One of the days is observed once a week, whereas the other is observed once a year.
As we draw to the end of another year, there is no doubt that, above all else, 2016 will be remembered for the seismic changes, which have taken place in the political realm. Many have been shocked and disturbed at the developments, whereas others have hailed 2016 as the year of political revolution.
Political upheaval has dominated, as the UK voted to leave the European Union in June and Donald Trump was elected as the 45th President of the United States of America in November. Some speculated, centring on Western politics and the EU in particular, as to which nation might next be impacted with political change.
“And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:34).
Sheep without a Shepherd
The feeding of the five thousand is arguably one of Jesus’ most significant miracles. It is the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels. It took place around the time of the Passover (John 6:4). Christ and his disciples had boarded a boat and crossed the lake to a deserted place (Luke 9:10) to rest for a while. Many followed Him on foot (Matthew 14:13) and a large crowd gathered.
“But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him” (1 Kings 12:8).
