A Nugget from New Life Network
Scripture for the Day (March 12, 2018)
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:16)
What is our responsibility as disciples of Jesus? At what point do we feel equipped to step out and feed the sheep or minister to others? Does it require a college degree? Does it require an official ordination? Let’s look at what Jesus had to say about these type questions.
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. (Mark 8:1-8)
Now, let’s look at what Jesus taught His disciples in light of where we are today in our own culture. Jesus has not lost His compassion for the multitude because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The multitudes that need to be fed have not changed. In fact, they have increased! So, the question is, how did Jesus feed all these people? What was His plan?
Jesus asked His disciples how many loaves they had. Notice, he did not tell them that what they had was not enough. On the contrary, He took what they had and blessed it and the loaves and fishes were multiplied as the disciples served them. Notice that the disciples were the ones that served the loaves and fishes, not Jesus.
So, what can we learn from all this? These disciples were not college educated ministers. They were ordinary people just like you and me. Jesus just asked them one thing. What do you have? Just bring that to me and I will bless it and I will multiply it as you give it out. In other words, give and it will be given unto you. It’s that profound, and yet that simple! There has been many times over the years when I have been preaching or teaching and in the middle of the sermon a phrase will come out of my mouth that I had never thought of before. It was not in my notes and I would think to myself, “that was really good”. It wasn’t good because I was so good. It was good because it came straight from the Holy Spirit. I have had that same thing happen when witnessing to someone or when studying the Word. That is a prime example of how the Holy Spirit will give more to you as you are obedient to give out what you have or you are obedient to study His Word. The main lesson here is that we are not to wait until we feel like we have enough. The enemy will always tell you that you are unqualified. We are to give whatever we have now and Jesus will give us more. The plan has not changed.
For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance. But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that which he hath. (Matthew 13:12)
