LEARNING DAILY

Mark 6:37, But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

Continuing with the topic, “Jesus Stories” Pastor Jonathon Moore of NorthRock Church Jesus feeding the 5,000. He mentioned the only way for Believers to “run the race marked out for them is to keep their eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). Hebrews 11 was written to give Believers encouragement that Jesus was with them in and through everything they faced. They focused their faith, not in their own strength, but in Jesus, who had finished this thing called life. Because he had, He cleared every obstacle Believers would face to finish the race victoriously.

Read about the feeding of the 5,000 (plus women and children) in Mark 6:30-44. The first thing Pastor Moore stated was, “My crisis is a canvas for a Jesus miracle”. In the sermon notes granddaughter Audrey gave me, she wrote, “Jesus always notices our needs. He already knows our ‘crisis’!” In this same account in John 6:5-6, This statement was given after Jesus told Philip to give the people something to eat, “But this He said to test him, for He knew what He would do”. Jesus already knew what was going to happen. Pastor Moore said, “When Jesus asks a question [or makes a statement like this], He wants Believers to come to a conclusion. He wants Believers to know that He is always the answer; He always knows what He is going to do. When we see problems, He sees solutions to the things we are struggling with.”

In His discussion with the disciples, He asked them what they had; “He focused on what they had for Him to use” (Pastor). They had five loaves of bread and two fish.  Pastor Moore’s second point was, “Jesus turns my fragments into fullness”. Audrey wrote, “Your responsibility is to take what you have and give it to God”. Jesus took what the disciples gave Him [a boy’s lunch] and it became the ingredients for a miracle. Here is a good time to pause and consider what you have that the Lord Jesus Christ can use for His glory, for His honor! “Be willing to give what I have to Jesus in order for Jesus to give you what you need!” (Pastor Moore).

Andrew and Peter spoke up and asked Jesus how so little could feed so many – remember there was far more people to feed than just the 5,000 men. Audrey wrote, “We miss the miracles when we feed on the fragments. The moment we surrender everything, we lack nothing!” “Jesus takes what we have, breaks it and multiplies it for use. He takes even our brokenness to be a blessing for someone else. He takes what we have placed in His hands and uses it for His glory.” (Pastor Moore). His third point is significant for anyone reading this that might think you have nothing to offer Jesus, that you are insignificant. Pastor’s last point was, “The boy who was not counted was the one Jesus was counting on”. The one who had packed a lunch was not one of the 5,000 who were counted, “counted as part of the crowd” (Audrey’s notes). The boy came prepared and did not keep what he had – he gave it all to Jesus and the miracle began when he did so.

Lastly, and briefly, Pastor Moore said, “My obedience opens the door for overflow”. Audrey wrote, “Even though we don’t understand at the time, if we are obedient then we will look back and see what God was working in you”. When the disciples distributed the food, the people’s hunger was satisfied and there were still twelve baskets of food left over. Overflow! Abundance! I believe Believers fail to understand that people see, they watch what is done, they listen to what is said by those who call themselves Christians. They watch to see if what is done and said line up with the talk and the walk! Believers are co-workers with God (1 Corinthians 3:9) and He wants to use you to produce fruit for His kingdom!