Mark 6:30-44Solid discipleship for you and others is to be both a “hearer and doer of the Word.”
“And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”
Ok, ready…Jesus just encouraged YOU and me to go away and rest…this time…let’s do it…it will be good for you, your mind, body and soul…go and rest.
Jesus tries to go away with his fellas but they are “flanked” by multitudes of people needing Jesus…is your life and ministry being “thronged” by people trying to get to Jesus?
Jesus had compassion on them…what moves your heart these days…think about it…it is a clue to what God is trying to move toward you or you toward it.
The people are hungry and the disciples try and “send the people away.” Jesus says, “come unto me.”
The disciples start to try and fix things on their own and sort of pressure Jesus to “send them away…”. Jesus simply says, “You give them something to eat.”
They make an excuse…Jesus asks, “How many loaves do you have, go and see.”
The answer to your dilemma is literally right in front of you…BUT…you have to “look” at who God has put in your life to minister to. Then, you will have to mix it with faith.
In John 6 we know the 5 loaves and 2 fish come from a little boy. His mom faithfully packed his lunch of bread and fish sticks. He willingly gave his ALL to the disciples to feed over 5000!
Would you give up your last asset to help a large group of people knowing you are literally “throwing your money away?”
UNLESS Jesus mixes your faith with His plan!!
Everyone is fed and ready…here is Grace multiplied…Jesus allows there to be 12 baskets of leftovers. One for each of the disciples who Got a bit “edgy” with Jesus, had little faith during a big humanitarian crisis and yet in God’s loving care and discipleship Jesus not only did not condemn their unbelief but blessed the little faith they did exhibit. The little boy ate well too and because Jesus multiplied the initial food and then the rest were multiplied in the disciples hands, everyone ate the most tasty and delicious fish and chips ever AND had the honor of doing a miracle for others straight from Jesus.
He wants to do the same for us today.