You Give Them Something To Eat

-January 20, 2023-

Good morning, happy Friday,

“But Jesus said to them, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’ “

(Matthew 14:16).

Jesus and the disciples were exhausted and hungry. So much so that Jesus tried to get away to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes found out, they followed Him on foot. Instead of turning them away, He felt compassion on them and healed their sick. A longer day just got longer. We have all been there. Our busy, hectic day is nearly over and all we want to do is rest. Instead a friend calls, a need arises, what will we do? Will we say no? No way!

In the Parable of the Friend Coming To His Friend At Midnight, Jesus illustrated persistence in prayer. A friend comes to the door of his friend and neighbor after he is already in bed for the night. He knocks at the door asking to borrow some bread to serve it to an out of town guest who popped in unexpectedly. At first our warm, cozy friend makes an excuse why he can’t help him, then after his friend keeps knocking, he gets up and gives all him that he needs because of his persistence.

The disciples were like this, they wanted to send the multitudes away to buy food for themselves. Jesus told them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Was Jesus serious? Where would they get enough food to feed such crowd of 5,000 men, not including the women and children? They were about to learn a valuable lesson on meeting the needs of others, no matter how hard, no matter how inconvenient. After they stated their meager resources of five loaves and two fish, Jesus replied, “Bring them here to Me.” None of us, like the disciples have the resources to help others especially spiritually without the Lord’s help. But when we pray, make ourselves available, and use what He has given us, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Jesus took what they had, blessed it, and gave it to the disciples to give to all the people. It not only feed the multitudes, there were twelve baskets of leftovers. Each person didn’t get such a small bite or two but were fully satisfied. Jesus says this to us today, “You give them something to eat.” We are merely His vessels, His channels of blessing. The hymn writer Mary E. Maxwell said it best, “Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me, a clean vessel in Thy hand; with no pow’r but as Thou givest graciously with each command.”

May Lord help us to be always available for the Lord to use to help others. He will fill us, equip us, and work through us in magnificent and marvelous ways. We will be amazed and others will be richly blessed. Have a blessed day. Stay safe and healthy.

Being ready at all times, day or night,

Dean