Jesus’ training program for the disciples included developing a heart for people. Where Jesus has compassion, the disciples want to “send them away.”

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” (Mark 6.34 – 36, ESV, emphasis mine)

The next step in this parade is that Jesus feeds the 5,000, turning the disciples into ushers (“have them sit down in groups of 50 and 100”), servers (he distributed the loaves and fishes to the disciples who distributed them to the crowd), and busboys (remember the 12 baskets of leftovers?). 

And all this occurred after the disciples returned from their ministry trip and wanted some rest!

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. (Mark 6.30 – 32, ESV)

It seems that following Jesus involves giving myself up for others.

We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. (1 Thessalonians 2.8, NLT)