Jesus sent the 12 out for what we might almost see as "serving practice." He then had them help him feed 5,000 people. In answer to Jesus’ penetrating question, Peter said Jesus was the Christ (Greek for "anointed one"—equivalent to the Hebrew Messiah). Jesus did not dispute the identification—but he did say frankly that being the Christ meant suffering, not earthly power. And it meant that, not just for him, but for those who chose to follow him, too.

• The disciples had a prudent idea: "Send the crowd away so that they can go to the nearby villages and countryside and find lodging and food." Jesus jolted them by replying, "YOU give them something to eat" (9:13). How did the story (cf. verse 16) show Jesus’ power flowing through people, rather than just directly meeting people’s needs? Does he still call us to be vehicles through whom his power flows? How did the story show our need to rely on Jesus’ power, not our own, to achieve God’s purposes?
• In what ways have you had to answer Jesus’ question: "What advantage do people have if they gain the whole world for themselves yet perish or lose their lives?" (verse 25) What choice(s) do you face that promise gain, yet might cost you your values, self-respect or honor? In what ways can you gain the strength and self-knowledge to make the right choices?