When our strength is lacking, we begin to discover God is enough. He prayed three times for it to be removed, but God promised only grace, explaining that His power is perfected in weakness. We’re not told what (or who) the painful aggravation was, but it tormented and humbled him. We can become anxious and walk away from God-or we can trust Him to help us. Circumstances may not be in our control, but our response is. Sometimes they accompany us all our years and can seem unbearable. Not all our problems are that little or so easily removed. And may all of this be for your glory! Amen.If you’ve ever had a splinter in your finger or a pebble in your shoe, you know how bothersome the pain can be. May individuals and charitable organizations and businesses and governments work in partnership so that all people might have access to food for life. May you stir up your people to feed the hungry, even as you once did in the wilderness. I thank you also for those people and organizations that seek to feed the hungry and help the poor to develop the means to produce food.įinally, I pray for those who are hungry today. I want to thank you for those who grow the food I eat, for those who transport it and sell it, and for those who prepare it (especially my wife!). I bring before you, Lord, all of those who provide food for people. Though the fullness of your reign is yet to come, nevertheless, we are able to begin to experience life under your gracious sovereignty. I also thank you today for the presence of your kingdom. PRAYER: Lord Jesus, first of all, I thank you for caring for my ordinary human needs. QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: What strikes you in the story of The Feeding of the 5,000? When you eat, do you think of your food as a gift from God? In what ways are you helping to feed people? Do you think of this as participation in the work of God’s kingdom? How might this perspective change the way you feel or act? Through our efforts to care for human need and to offer hospitality to people, we are able to participate in the kingdom ministry of Jesus. This passage also provides inspiration for those who cook for their families and friends. Luke 9:12-17 serves as an encouragement to those who work in businesses that provide food: farmers, truckers, people in the grocery and restaurant businesses, as well as many others. Increasingly, we are striving to help the poor, not only by feeding them, but also by helping them to develop the means to feed themselves. Throughout the centuries, Christians have followed the lead of Jesus in seeking to feed people, especially those with limited access to food. Thus, feeding the hungry is both an act of compassion and a demonstration of the presence of God’s kingdom. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young. See, he brings his reward with him as he comes. Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away all tears. The shadow of death that hangs over the earth. With clear, well-aged wine and choice meat. In Jerusalem, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies And it began to fulfill Old Testament prophetic promises, such as are found in Isaiah: It echoed the familiar story of God providing manna for the children of Israel as they journeyed through the wilderness (Exod. Yet, like the healings, the miracle of feeding also demonstrated the presence of the kingdom of God. Jesus cared for the people in their ordinary hunger and demonstrated loving hospitality. Not unlike Jesus’ healing miracles, his feeding of the crowd shows his compassion of human beings and their needs. He miraculously multiplied the quantity of food so that everyone was well fed and there were twelve baskets of leftovers. From these, however, Jesus was able to provide ample food for the whole crowd. When it came time for the evening meal, there was nothing for people to eat, other than five loaves of bread and two fish. Thousands of people gathered in a “remote place” where Jesus was teaching and healing them. The story in Luke 9:12-17 is often called “The Feeding of the 5,000,” though, in fact, the total number of people fed was much larger, since 5,000 identifies the number of men present. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people." "Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Work.Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership.Evangelism - Sharing the Gospel at Work.10 Key Points About Work in the Bible Every Christian Should Know.
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