Give Them Something to Eat

"But [Jesus] said to them, 'You give them something to eat'." (Luke 9:13 ESV)

One statement Pastor Mona made in her message this past Sunday has resounded in my heart throughout the week: "Sometimes we think that God asks too much". I knew right away: 'we' was me; 'sometimes' was right now. Not that I would have ever said or entertained that thought in as many words - none of us would. We know that we were made by God and for His glory. Our very motto is to know God and make Him known, but that doesn't make us immune to the sly disillusionment and discontentment that will knock on the door of our hearts even while we are doing what God has called us to do. We're human, it's normal: we get tired, overwhelmed, and we're constantly bombarded by our society's entitled worldview. So, where do we go from here?

Oswald Chambers says, "The first thing that happens after we recognize our election by God in Christ Jesus is the destruction of our preconceived ideas, our narrow-minded thinking, and all of our other allegiances— we are turned solely into servants of God’s own purpose". Ouch to self! He continues, "The first thing God will do is force the interests of the whole world through the channel of our hearts. The love of God, and even His very nature, is introduced into us. And we see the nature of Almighty God purely focused in John 3:16— “For God so loved the world….”. The love of God for the most broken and unbearable of the world sent Him to the cross for us. Does this love live in you? Is this same God asking too much? From me?

Now, about that something to eat (I know, I got you all excited with that title)! When Pastor Mona made the 'asking too much' statement, she was actually sharing a real life account from Scripture of a time when the disciples felt that exact same way (check out Luke 9 for the whole story). They had just returned from a big mission to preach the Gospel, had their 'recoup and recap' sess with Jesus interrupted by hoards of needy people who wouldn't leave them alone, then spent the entire day with Jesus as He ministered to these people rather than sending them away. Now, it was evening, and the disciples decided that it was high time for everyone to go home, but what does Jesus say? "You give them something to eat" (verse 13). The disciples had a choice. They could have said no and walked away - they were exhausted, after all and were supposed to have been done serving hours ago. These disciples, however, remained to obey and serve alongside Jesus. We know the rest of that story: a miracle occurred that day where over 5,000 people were fed from a mere handful of bread and fish, and those disciples witnessed it with their own eyes - handled that miracle with their own hands.

I want to challenge us today, this weekend. Are you exhausted? Do you feel weary of your call, of the fight; do you feel that your burden is too heavy? May I suggest that the answer may not be in pulling back, but in pushing forward. We heard it on Sunday - God is not callous. He knows what we need, and He has proven His love and care for us in countless ways. Could it be that our own desire to protect our time, strength, and resources is the very thing preventing us from ever tapping into His? Let's remember this morning God's great purpose for our lives - a purpose so much greater than ourselves and one that He will fully equip us for, if we will just trust Him enough to obey. 

Source:
*Oswald Chambers. "The Missionary's Predestined Purpose". utmost.org.