OH COME ON, JESUS, REALLY?
- Key Verse
- But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!" They said to him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." (Matthew 14:16-17)
READ TODAY'S PASSAGE-
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
If we believe that Jesus is God's Son, who was raised from the dead, then we must also trust that He is enough, have faith in His teachings, and be willing to put them into practice even when it seems completely illogical.
Reflections
I have to be honest. It's really easy for me to look down on the disciples' lack of faith in this passage. I mean, seriously. You've been watching Jesus heal people all over the place (verse 14), you've heard some incredible teaching and seen things that could only be of God.
So, when Jesus tells the disciples that nobody needs to leave and that they should just feed everyone, the disciples' response should have been, "Oh, of course. We can just feed them." But the disciples doubted Jesus. Then, they felt the need to clarify the reality of the situation to Him by explaining that there just wasn't enough food. I would have just fed them like He said. Right?
I have to be honest again. WRONG! If I put myself in the disciples' shoes, I would have thought Jesus wasn't serious and just sent everyone on their way. Sometimes it's easy for me to think the disciples had it easy because they were with Jesus in the flesh. But they didn't have a very key element, the Resurrection! Everything Jesus said or did is totally validated by the truth that the grave is empty. Jesus ends up feeding the 5,000 Himself in this passage and thus validated even further who He was to the disciples and everyone there. But He first told the disciples to feed them. It is the other way around for me. Jesus has totally validated His words and actions through the resurrection, and now He calls me to live in light of that. If Jesus really was raised from the dead, then I must live a life that reflects the grandeur of this. Jesus calls me to a radical life. The resurrection is at the center of the Gospel and has enormous implications for how I live.
Lord, help me to know and trust in the great power of the resurrection of Your Son. Help me to live in response to it and faithfully pick up my five loaves and two fish, trusting in You to use them for Your glory and our good. Amen.
Discussion Questions
1. How would you have responded to Jesus' command to feed the 5,000 yourself?
2. How does the truth that the grave is empty affect the way your day-to-day life looks?
3. When was the last time you felt the Lord was calling you to something totally illogical? How did you respond?
4. Do you trust in God's ability to use your "five loaves and two fish" greatly for His kingdom? If not, why?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why was the large crowd following Jesus?
2. Why are you following Jesus?
3. Where have you seen Jesus working in your life or in the lives of people around you?
David
February 18, 2010 06:05 AM
Jeremy! PREACH!Your words set me on FIRE!It is just a reminder that JESUS IS OUR SOURCE of LIFE! LOVE how you SERVE the body and love ME! KEEP WALKING THE WAY AND CONGRATS ON 365 DAYS!PRAISE GOD! AMEN!
Bill and Jennifer Jaqua
February 18, 2010 07:00 AM
How fun to open up the Journey and see you today!! We miss you and sweet SarahBeth! We feel so honored and blessed by God to be your Mom and Dad! Thank you for reminding us to live faithfully each day, we love you!
Martin
February 18, 2010 07:58 AM
Very insightful! I know I tend to live life within the confines of what I know can be done, and don't trust God's provision the way He wants me to. I think I would have responded the same way if Jesus told me to feed the people. "Ummm... How?!"
Paul Gittemeier
February 18, 2010 08:06 AM
Great thoughts Jeremy - never thought about this passage in this manner so I'm off to discover what comprises my five loaves and two fish....
Bill
February 18, 2010 08:34 AM
Jeremy: I loved the prayer at the end of the devotional today. And question four with the reminder that not everyone's loaves and fishes are the same. Sometimes it is harder to trust that He is using us greatly when we are mucking out stalls or washing dishes (or feet) then it is when we are in the spotlight feeding the masses.
Jim
February 18, 2010 08:43 AM
Good job Jeremy. Praying God will increase my faith today to put into practice those things that seem to be completely illogical. Thanks, Jim
SarahBeth Jaqua
February 18, 2010 09:41 AM
Jeremy, thanks for this encouraging word today. I really needed it and your prayer at the end really spoke to me and is a great reminder for me in a day full of details. Thanks for loving me and spurring me on to pursue Christ! I love you!
Bart
February 18, 2010 09:43 AM
Bart
February 18, 2010 09:48 AM
Thanks for reminding me and encouraging me to trust his provisions, although I don't logically understand "how in the world" it will happen sometimes. I have to shift from the "how in the world" mentality to the "all in the Lord's time" belief and trust in Him! Have a great day Jeremy!
Charlie Shelby
February 18, 2010 11:23 AM
Jeremy, thanks for encouraging me thru your devo today to be willing to trust and be used by God. John 12:49-50 I can't tell you how much I appreciate how you build into my son and the high school boys. You are loved bro!
Kathleen
February 18, 2010 12:24 PM
The choice is always there, isn't it? The grandeur as u so perfectly expressed it, or the daily grind. How amazing to know that the HolySpirit waits for us to press in even the tiniest bit and He will show us all about our "loaves and fish". Thanks for all your words!
Graham Shelby
February 18, 2010 08:33 PM
Whats your name again? Oh yes i remember, Jeremy! Man I love hearing u pour wisdom into my life, and you message did just that. I cant tell you enough how thankful i am for your leadership and passion this past year in small group, you're such a stud!
Sally Baskey McGaw
February 19, 2010 10:24 AM
Jeremy, how blessed our family is to have you in our midst. Your words ring so true. I love your spirit and enthusiasm for the LORD. Awesome looking at Jesus' request of his disciples from this perspective. ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE when we beileve. Love you!!! MIL (that's mother-in-law) Sally