"But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there."
This was 5,000 men, not including women and children. The problem here is complex and not easily solved with money. To feed this multitude of people would cost 200 years worth of wages and all that was had was two fish and five loaves of bread. But when they shared all that they had, they still had extra to collect.
So if you care enough to ask as Jesus's disciples did, "Who will feed all these people?" You shouldn't be surprised to hear Jesus say, "You feed them." Jesus gives a very simple and practical solution to a very complex problem. So simple, in fact, that it seems he doesn't grasp the situation or is being inconsiderate and uncaring. But Jesus Christ is God and no one understands the situation better than He and still he says, "You feed them."
Jesus doesn't expect you to go out and spend your entire life savings feeding people. He knows you don't have that kind of money and one person alone cannot solve world hunger. However, as God has provided you with what little or what plenty you have, share it and God will make it enough.
Showing posts with label Luke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luke. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Luke 14:33
"Therefore likewise, all of you who do not give up all of his possessions is not able to be my disciple."
Jesus is crazy. Nobody actually takes what he says seriously, or so it seems. Virtually no one, even Christians, believe Jesus means what he says or if they do believe it they do not live it. Jesus starts this exhortation by saying that those who do not hate their mother, brothers, father, wife, children, and even their own life are also not able to be his disciples. Jesus is most definitely crazy for who then could be his disciple?
Or Jesus is the Son of God and everything already belongs to him.
Everything that exists is always and already owned by him. By giving all things up and acknowledging that you have absolutely no right or entitlement to them, that they are in fact all gifts from Christ's hand, you can then become a disciple. By admitting that your family is not yours, you give them over to He who can take better care of them that you could. Even you are not your own, but you were created by Christ, through Christ, and in Christ and bought with a price.
Give to Christ what is rightfully his. Own nothing but use every good gift God has given you. Give up everything to Christ and don't be surprised if he gives them back to you as gifts or asks you to carry your cross a little further to Calvary.
Jesus is crazy. Nobody actually takes what he says seriously, or so it seems. Virtually no one, even Christians, believe Jesus means what he says or if they do believe it they do not live it. Jesus starts this exhortation by saying that those who do not hate their mother, brothers, father, wife, children, and even their own life are also not able to be his disciples. Jesus is most definitely crazy for who then could be his disciple?
Or Jesus is the Son of God and everything already belongs to him.
Everything that exists is always and already owned by him. By giving all things up and acknowledging that you have absolutely no right or entitlement to them, that they are in fact all gifts from Christ's hand, you can then become a disciple. By admitting that your family is not yours, you give them over to He who can take better care of them that you could. Even you are not your own, but you were created by Christ, through Christ, and in Christ and bought with a price.
Give to Christ what is rightfully his. Own nothing but use every good gift God has given you. Give up everything to Christ and don't be surprised if he gives them back to you as gifts or asks you to carry your cross a little further to Calvary.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Luke 24:38
"He said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
No one believed the resurrection. Even when it was plainly told to them that Christ would be raised on the Third Day, no one believed him at first and even Peter rebuked him. But not even Christ expected us to believe blindly, but he says, "Touch me and see!" This is not the testimony of irrational men or blind followers, but men who tested what they saw and believed in the truth.
The very idea of Jesus and His Resurrection sounds like pure and utter nonsense (v11) and Peter must have thought he was investigating a crime scene rather than the truth of our Risen Lord. Every disciple doubted the resurrection and Peter's first conclusion, being a rational man, was not "He must've walked out". He saw him beaten. He saw him die and he is still grieving the loss. What cruel new insult now is this to the memory of his beloved Lord?
They did not even recognize him as he talked to them (v16), but their hearts burned like fire within them as he spoke. It was not until they ate with him as he broke the bread that they knew Him(v30-31). It is not until they touched him (v39) that they believed for they all had doubt in their minds (v38). No one comes to believe that Christ is risen until they reach out to touch him. And when we've touched him, He touches us.
No one believed the resurrection. Even when it was plainly told to them that Christ would be raised on the Third Day, no one believed him at first and even Peter rebuked him. But not even Christ expected us to believe blindly, but he says, "Touch me and see!" This is not the testimony of irrational men or blind followers, but men who tested what they saw and believed in the truth.
The very idea of Jesus and His Resurrection sounds like pure and utter nonsense (v11) and Peter must have thought he was investigating a crime scene rather than the truth of our Risen Lord. Every disciple doubted the resurrection and Peter's first conclusion, being a rational man, was not "He must've walked out". He saw him beaten. He saw him die and he is still grieving the loss. What cruel new insult now is this to the memory of his beloved Lord?
They did not even recognize him as he talked to them (v16), but their hearts burned like fire within them as he spoke. It was not until they ate with him as he broke the bread that they knew Him(v30-31). It is not until they touched him (v39) that they believed for they all had doubt in their minds (v38). No one comes to believe that Christ is risen until they reach out to touch him. And when we've touched him, He touches us.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Luke 22:50-51
"And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him."
Jesus never used violent uprisings to get his way. Unlike the rebellious zealots who went before him, Jesus's power and authority come from faith and truth. He need not even lift a finger against his enemies to establish his dominance although he easily could.
This is why the ear was cut off. His disciples trusted in his power to defeat his mortal enemies. If Jesus was to become King and overthrow the Roman government and give the Jews back their land, now was the time. This is the time for battle. This would be the ear-cutting heard round the world. This is the start of the revolution! The time is now and the kingdom of God is at hand! Strike and believe the good news!
But that's not how it goes.
Jesus undoes what happened to that servant's ear and in front of everyone performs a miracle, demonstrating again his power and authority and command of the situation. And they still took him, but we know the truth. Jesus allowed himself to be taken. No more mysteriously passing through crowds as we see in the Gospel of John. Now is the time, the hour when darkness reigns. The Kingdom of God is coming, and soon all Hell will break loose.
Jesus never used violent uprisings to get his way. Unlike the rebellious zealots who went before him, Jesus's power and authority come from faith and truth. He need not even lift a finger against his enemies to establish his dominance although he easily could.
This is why the ear was cut off. His disciples trusted in his power to defeat his mortal enemies. If Jesus was to become King and overthrow the Roman government and give the Jews back their land, now was the time. This is the time for battle. This would be the ear-cutting heard round the world. This is the start of the revolution! The time is now and the kingdom of God is at hand! Strike and believe the good news!
But that's not how it goes.
Jesus undoes what happened to that servant's ear and in front of everyone performs a miracle, demonstrating again his power and authority and command of the situation. And they still took him, but we know the truth. Jesus allowed himself to be taken. No more mysteriously passing through crowds as we see in the Gospel of John. Now is the time, the hour when darkness reigns. The Kingdom of God is coming, and soon all Hell will break loose.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Luke 1:73-75
"...the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him all our days."
The Gospel is better than you think. Don't take my word for it, listen to the words of The Holy Spirit through Zechariah. No longer do we live in fear of eternal condemnation for our sins. No longer must we strive with the burden of guilt. No longer are the days when sin and death reigned in our bodies, but now we have the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins.
It is no longer fear of punishment through the law that we are made holy and righteous. God has revealed himself through his tender mercy in the person of Christ Jesus. He has paid for every single sin past, present, and future in order that some may come to believe and glorify him.
The Gospel is better than we could have ever imagined. We have been enabled through the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God apart from the law. None is good but God and the Good News is that you cannot be good by working hard at it. God is good for you. You need only to give your life to Him and he will take care of the rest. When God looks on you, he sees not a sinner but Christ in you. Don't you believe that?
The Gospel is better than you think. Don't take my word for it, listen to the words of The Holy Spirit through Zechariah. No longer do we live in fear of eternal condemnation for our sins. No longer must we strive with the burden of guilt. No longer are the days when sin and death reigned in our bodies, but now we have the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins.
It is no longer fear of punishment through the law that we are made holy and righteous. God has revealed himself through his tender mercy in the person of Christ Jesus. He has paid for every single sin past, present, and future in order that some may come to believe and glorify him.
The Gospel is better than we could have ever imagined. We have been enabled through the power of the Holy Spirit to serve God apart from the law. None is good but God and the Good News is that you cannot be good by working hard at it. God is good for you. You need only to give your life to Him and he will take care of the rest. When God looks on you, he sees not a sinner but Christ in you. Don't you believe that?
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Luke 6:24
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort."
Has anyone ever told you this? Has anyone ever told you that seeking to be wealth is a wrong thing? That being comfortable is not to be desired? Indeed Jesus goes against the very ethos of American society and the American Dream of a house in the suburbs and a white picket fence to surround your impeccable green lawn.
Why should we seek comfort in this life? Such things are a trap to spiritual stagnation and laziness. It is no wonder that the more comfortable we are, the less we pray. The more we rely on our own wealth, the less we rely on God. When a branch refuses to grow, it is in danger of being cut off and thrown into the fire. It needs to be brought to maturity so that it might bear fruit.
Let God lead you into difficult situations, things you never thought you could handle. He will stretch you and grow you. You will feel like breaking but you are clay in God's capable hands. If you believe there is an afterlife, than live like there is one. What good is it to store up comfort now and forsake eternal comfort?
After all, we only have a short time to spend on Earth, so don't get to comfortable.
Has anyone ever told you this? Has anyone ever told you that seeking to be wealth is a wrong thing? That being comfortable is not to be desired? Indeed Jesus goes against the very ethos of American society and the American Dream of a house in the suburbs and a white picket fence to surround your impeccable green lawn.
Why should we seek comfort in this life? Such things are a trap to spiritual stagnation and laziness. It is no wonder that the more comfortable we are, the less we pray. The more we rely on our own wealth, the less we rely on God. When a branch refuses to grow, it is in danger of being cut off and thrown into the fire. It needs to be brought to maturity so that it might bear fruit.
Let God lead you into difficult situations, things you never thought you could handle. He will stretch you and grow you. You will feel like breaking but you are clay in God's capable hands. If you believe there is an afterlife, than live like there is one. What good is it to store up comfort now and forsake eternal comfort?
After all, we only have a short time to spend on Earth, so don't get to comfortable.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Luke 17:10
"So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"
Whoever thinks that they can gain favor with God through works of the Law is a fool. So too is the man who expects praise for what he was supposed to be doing anyways. Can anyone expect praise for doing only the bare minimum of what is required? When the world comes to me with praises and compliments as if to puff me up, saying such things like "Oh what a good person you are!", the only honest response I could give is "I have only done what is required and no more."
If you were really honest with yourself, how much time do you waste every day? I can't help but think that back when Christians were being persecuted for their faith it was a whole lot easier to be a Christian because we didn't distract ourselves from actually living full and meaningful lives with meaningless media entertainment. We sacrifice lives for entertainment. My guilt hangs heavy on my heart. O Lord help us!
But imagine the world if we spent 15 minutes less on the internet and 15 more in prayer, an hour less on TV and an hour more reading our Bibles. I know a bit more intimately now what it means to be saved by grace, wretched and lazy servant that I am. O Sovereign Lord, save us from ourselves!
Whoever thinks that they can gain favor with God through works of the Law is a fool. So too is the man who expects praise for what he was supposed to be doing anyways. Can anyone expect praise for doing only the bare minimum of what is required? When the world comes to me with praises and compliments as if to puff me up, saying such things like "Oh what a good person you are!", the only honest response I could give is "I have only done what is required and no more."
If you were really honest with yourself, how much time do you waste every day? I can't help but think that back when Christians were being persecuted for their faith it was a whole lot easier to be a Christian because we didn't distract ourselves from actually living full and meaningful lives with meaningless media entertainment. We sacrifice lives for entertainment. My guilt hangs heavy on my heart. O Lord help us!
But imagine the world if we spent 15 minutes less on the internet and 15 more in prayer, an hour less on TV and an hour more reading our Bibles. I know a bit more intimately now what it means to be saved by grace, wretched and lazy servant that I am. O Sovereign Lord, save us from ourselves!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 61:1-2
"The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor."
The Gospel isn't simply about forgiveness. Those who believe that the Gospel is that Christ died on a cross in order to forgive sins only understand half of what the Gospel is. This verse points to so many various things that Jesus did in His ministry in fulfillment of the law and prophets, all of which can be summed up in one word: reconciliation. Yes, Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins in order that we may live, but more than that, so that we might live unto and through Him in right relationship with God our Father.
Jesus came to bring restoration of this world back to the way it was in the beginning, to rightfully restore us back to a place of dominion over all of the Earth as it's stewards, and to condemn that usurper who took from us our dominion and enslaved us by deceiving us into obeying him rather than God, the prince of this world, Satan.
Do not forget: We are agents, ambassadors for Christ, spreading the ministry of reconciliation which He started and has set in our hearts so that He may continue to work through his body on Earth, the Church.
The Gospel isn't simply about forgiveness. Those who believe that the Gospel is that Christ died on a cross in order to forgive sins only understand half of what the Gospel is. This verse points to so many various things that Jesus did in His ministry in fulfillment of the law and prophets, all of which can be summed up in one word: reconciliation. Yes, Jesus has paid the penalty for our sins in order that we may live, but more than that, so that we might live unto and through Him in right relationship with God our Father.
Jesus came to bring restoration of this world back to the way it was in the beginning, to rightfully restore us back to a place of dominion over all of the Earth as it's stewards, and to condemn that usurper who took from us our dominion and enslaved us by deceiving us into obeying him rather than God, the prince of this world, Satan.
Do not forget: We are agents, ambassadors for Christ, spreading the ministry of reconciliation which He started and has set in our hearts so that He may continue to work through his body on Earth, the Church.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Luke 10:3
"Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves."
This is a very dangerous mission we are called to. At every moment we are in danger of being devoured if we are not careful. Jesus gives us careful instructions on what to do lest we find ourselves in some serious trouble. The life of one called to be an apostle is one that needs to be handled with the utmost care. When one is in a position to share the Gospel, mistakes cannot be afforded. This entire mission is life or death as lives hang in the balance.
Your enemy is prowling about like a lion waiting to devour someone who stumbles; Do not give him the chance. It takes but one thief to break into a house to let the rest in. Though a single flake of snow may not seem like much, over time and repetition it can amount to a serious problem. So take heed to yourselves and make sure that you do not falter in this task given to you.
No one in a position of authority can ever commit a small sin. Those who teach will be judged more harshly. Far be it that we sin while everyone's eyes are upon us! For he who causes any of these little ones to stumble, it would be better if he were thrown into the sea with a large millstone around his neck. It would be worse than if he never served at all. Do not take God's calling lightly.
This is a very dangerous mission we are called to. At every moment we are in danger of being devoured if we are not careful. Jesus gives us careful instructions on what to do lest we find ourselves in some serious trouble. The life of one called to be an apostle is one that needs to be handled with the utmost care. When one is in a position to share the Gospel, mistakes cannot be afforded. This entire mission is life or death as lives hang in the balance.
Your enemy is prowling about like a lion waiting to devour someone who stumbles; Do not give him the chance. It takes but one thief to break into a house to let the rest in. Though a single flake of snow may not seem like much, over time and repetition it can amount to a serious problem. So take heed to yourselves and make sure that you do not falter in this task given to you.
No one in a position of authority can ever commit a small sin. Those who teach will be judged more harshly. Far be it that we sin while everyone's eyes are upon us! For he who causes any of these little ones to stumble, it would be better if he were thrown into the sea with a large millstone around his neck. It would be worse than if he never served at all. Do not take God's calling lightly.
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