Unlimited: Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
Dec 29, 2020 1267
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha (Mark 8:5–10, NIV).
There were thousands of people who came to hear Jesus. They were there for three days, and they were really hungry!
Jesus told his disciples about the problem, and they replied that they were in a remote place and that there was no food anywhere nearby. Again, it seemed like an impossible situation!
After making the twelve disciples see that they could do nothing to resolve the problem, Jesus told the crowd sit down on the ground. All eyes were now only on him.
Do you remember how before the miracle of the Red Sea, Moses said to the people, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord”?
So, here is the spiritual lesson.
For God to work his miracles in your life, to see his salvation, you have to stop working, and let God work. Salvation is through faith, and not through your works. So, Jesus just told the people to sit down.
I wonder, do you need to do some sitting down at Christ’s feet in your life? The Jewish people would always give thanks before meals, and Jesus did the same.
It looked like the seven loaves and the few fish were only ever going to feed a handful of the people, and not the thousands who were there. The striking thing here is that Jesus gives thanks before the food is even there.
He gave thanks in faith, knowing the goodness of his Father in Heaven. It’s when we’re grateful that the good things happen.
– Eliezer Gonzalez
Eli’s Reflection: Do you have a grateful heart? Are you known as a grateful person? In what ways do you show gratitude to God and to others? Take some time today to say thank you to someone who needs to hear it from you.
JASON ANDREW TOPPIN
Dec 29, 2020
JESUS FIRST OTHERS SECOND AND ME LAST
Tony Berrigan
Dec 29, 2020
God really loves His kids. Thank you Lord