Mark 8:4-10 :: Jesus feeds the 4,000+

“But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

sometimes we feel ill prepared to serve. we have doubts about our abilities or our resources. we don’t think that what we have to offer will fit the bill and that, in turn, limits what service we render to those around us, and what impact we have for Jesus on a day to day basis.

Most of us struggle with this, this sense of inadequacy, when it comes to our service for Christ. And we think to think otherwise would be arrogance. if someone supposed that they were suffuciaently equipped to do God’s work, then they may be thinking too much of themselves. how dare we assume that what we have to offer is up to par, and to think that we can work for God as damaged as we all are.

but that’s just it, the disciples didn’t have enough on their own. and as most of us know, on our own we will always come up short. but that isn’t a problem for God. Jesus didn’t say “give me one loaf per person.” He said, “what do you have?” meaning what do we have to start with, because He is going to make that first offering of service grow to fit the bill. Jesus will never come up short.

He takes our offerings and our gifts, and blesses what we bring to Him so that His work is done in His way and in His timing. we needn’t worry about how He is going to get it accomplished, but just know that He will when we bring our all, our best, to Him.

And what were the results? to the crowd, their immediate needs were met. to the disciples, their faith in Jesus could do was bolstered. both sides benefited, because the disciples made the effort to bring what they could offer, Jesus showed them that He is more than capable of multiplying our efforts. the crowd found that Jesus’ ability to meet people’s needs was multifaceted, and not just limited to heart issues. He could reach into the hearts & minds, yes, but He could also help supply their physical needs as well. Which was far beyond what the scribes and pharisees could pull off.

Jesus just needs us to bring our all to Him, our best for His service. And we mustn’t worry about whether our gift is sufficient. Because Jesus will always take care of us, and bless our efforts when we make the effort. The benefit being that however it happens, people come to understand His place in their life a little better every time they encounter Him, and hopefully try to make the effort to serve others in His Name as well.