Earlier today, I went through the Old Testament and Acts to find a few more verses that will enable me to continue this "Go and . . ." series and eventually turn it into a book. Before we get to those new verses, however, I still have one more from Jesus' ministry to share, and then we will close out this series with one final reference from the gospels.
This week, we look at the story of Jesus feeding the multitudes with five loaves and two fish. Here is the context of the event:
By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?” “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish." Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand (Mark 6:35-44).
What can we learn from this latest command that involved the word go?
REALITY
Walking in faith never requires that we ignore reality. The disciples faced the reality that it was getting late and the huge crowd was hungry after a day of listening to Jesus. They assumed they did not have the resources to feed the people, so they brought the problem to Jesus and outlined the options: send the people home or spend a lot of money they did not have on a picnic lunch.
The disciples did not need money or a dismissal prayer; they needed a new way of thinking. Jesus presented them with a new thought—they already had enough to meet all the needs of the people, with some left over. They had never considered that possible and therefore had no faith for anything beyond what they could see. Jesus wanted them to see what they had, but then to see that what they had was enough.
The reality was that they had all they needed to do what God wanted them to do. They simply needed to exercise faith and think differently.
A NEW REALITY
One time, I was complaining to the Lord that I had no money for Christmas presents for my friends. I was broke—or so I thought. Then I looked at my magnificent library filled with books I no longer read or needed. I prayed and then picked out a book that I thought each friend needed to read and would enjoy. They were all blessed, but the point is that I had all I needed for the gifts. I only needed to think new thoughts.
On another occasion, I was telling the Lord I had no resources to participate in a special church offering. it was then that I thought of my coin collection, which I promptly sold and gave the proceeds in the offering. I had what I needed. I only needed to think new thoughts.
Just a few minutes ago, I was asked to conduct an interview with someone and I needed to send them a link to complete a profile. Money is tight and I didn't want to spend what I had on the profile. Then I looked through my online files and found an unused profile I didn't know I had. I didn't need another profile. I only needed to think new thoughts and not assume there was only one way for me to do what I was asked to do.
YOUR REALITY
Perhaps Jesus is telling you to go and see what you have in your house, mind, experience, or some other place, not to point out your lack, but to point out that you have more than you think—once you add faith to it, just like Abraham did:
Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised (Romans 4:19-21).
Abraham faced reality, but he then faced the more important reality of God's promise. Without denying reality, he was actually strengthened in his faith and the Lord provided. This week, ask God to open your eyes to the reality of what you already have that He can use for His purpose. Then ask Him to give you new thoughts about what you have and don't have, and see if your new thoughts will allow you to re-evaluate your hesitancy to do something for the Lord. You may have your own loaves and fish that you thought were inadequate, but with new thinking you will see as adequate for the task at hand. Have a blessed week!
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KENYA TRIP: I am hosting an informational meeting this coming Saturday, September 22, here in Pittsburgh for the 2019 Kenya trip. If you are local and would like to come, let me know. If you live away from Pittsburgh and would like to connect by phone, let me know and I will set up a conference call that will allow you to participate. The meeting is from 9 to noon Eastern time. Below is information you can download about the trip.
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