John the Baptist knew what was right and wrong. He didn’t doubt that. He spoke the truth without fear of the consequences. It cost him his life. Was he right or wrong to speak out?

The disciples doubt the people’s ability to get food out where they came to find Jesus. The disciples want to send the people away. They are caring for the people. They want them to be able to get food. Were they wrong?

Peter has the faith to obey Jesus and get out of the boat, but then his faith turns to the waves and their strength. Was he wrong to get out of the boat?

The people seeking healing do whatever it takes to get to Jesus and touch His garment. They are all healed. Jesus went away by Himself to be alone to pray, but the people find Him. Were they wrong to go?

I hope we can decide that faith in God is always right. Faith works through love. Galatians 5:6 says that only faith working through love counts for anything.

The disciples wanting to send the people away were hopefully saying it because they cared about the people. Explaining to Jesus that the people needed to eat and He should send them away is a little like other instances of accusing Love of not caring, as if God needed us to explain to Him the problems of the world and what could be done about them.

Jesus has faith and love and we get the miracle.

John the Baptist spoke in faith and love. It is unloving to withhold the necessary rebuke.

Peter was lacking love in his stunt. He had some faith, but his love seems to be on self. That doesn’t work. Love is other-focused, or it’s not really love.

The people seeking healing were thinking of themselves or a loved one. They had faith; they were thinking of self, though. Jesus responds, however, as always, with selfless love and compassion. His faith always came through love.

You can’t separate faith and love. The command is love others. That’s how you’ll move in faith.