Thursday Reflection October 28, 2021
Thursday Reflection October 28, 2021
Jesus our Provider
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.
Matthew 15:35-36 NIV
Greeting friends!
I pray that as we draw to the end of one month and the beginning of another we will remember “Jesus is our Provider”.
Our text is the feeding of the 4,000 which shares some similarities with the feeding of the 5,000.
In both situations there was a large crowd following Jesus. Also they were in a remote place. The disciples make it clear that it was a wilderness; a place of barrenness. In this situation though Jesus initiates the conversation surrounding the feeding of the people. But in both situations the disciples don’t know where to get enough food to feed the people. Jesus we are told got seven loaves of bread and a few small fishes. Jesus did what He does best and blessed it and it shared for everyone.
As we reflect on this text there are a few points I want to leave with us.
- Jesus knows about our conditions
The text tells us that the people were in the wilderness with Jesus for three days. During this time they did not eat, so they must have been hungry. So Jesus mentions this to His disciples. Friends, Jesus knows about our conditions. He knows how it is affecting us. He knows how long we have been going through it. He knows the severity of it as well. Jesus knows! - Jesus is concerned about our condition
Jesus told the disciples, “I have compassion for these people… I don’t want to send them away hungry or they will faint along the way.” Jesus not only knew they were hungry, but he cared that they were hungry.
Friends, Jesus cares about what you’re going through and how it impacts you. He doesn’t want the situation you’re facing to cause you to faint or to harm you. Jesus cares about you! That is important, because if He cares He will help you.
- Jesus will multiply what you have
The situation was so dire that the disciples thought it impossible. Hear the disciple’s remarks after Jesus shared His concerns, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?” The truth is that our situations at times seem hopeless and there is no way anyone can help, because in the wilderness there is nothing to use to help the situation.
However, Jesus’s response is key, “How much bread do you have?” Jesus doesn’t expects you to solve the situation. He expects you to bring whatever you have and He will multiply it. So if it is just seven loaves of bread and two fishes bring it, because He will multiply it. If it is faith as small as a mustard seed bring it. If it is your praise, bring it still. If it is your prayers, bring it. Whatever positive thing you have bring it, because Jesus’s job is to increase it so that it will be enough in the wilderness.
- Jesus will provide
Jesus told the people to sit, He blessed the meal and they all ate. Jesus provided in the wilderness and that’s the end of the matter. Jesus will provide for you. Just continue to trust Him and bring what you have to Him.
Shalom
Christopher Euphfa