Unlimited Resources
Opening Prayer
Thank You, Lord, that You have made all the resources of heaven available through Christ.
Read Luke 9:10-17
[10] When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, [11] but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. [12] Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” [13] He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish-unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” [14] (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” [15] The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. [16] Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. [17] They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What do you notice about Jesus’ words and actions?The disciples themselves have now been preaching and healing. After their first mission trip, Jesus takes them away for a quiet debriefing, but the crowds follow. Jesus isn’t irritated by the mob. Instead he welcomes them (11) and, in an astonishing practical step, he shows that the disciples are now totally involved in revealing the kingdom of God that he has been teaching them about. The disciples are painfully aware of the crowd’s needs, and of their lack of resources. But Jesus tells them to feed the people (13). Giving thanks for what they do have, Jesus breaks the five loaves and two fish into pieces, giving them to the disciples who in turn give them to the people (16). Imagine their astonishment when they are able to keep on giving out the food until everyone is satisfied (17). We can often feel overwhelmed by the needs around us. Jesus invites us to draw on his power and gifts, becoming channels of his life and love to those around us.
Apply
Take stock of what you have to offer to Jesus and your willingness to relinquish it to him.
Closing prayer
Father, thank You that You are able to do the impossible through me if I yield myself to You.
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