Are you ready to feed 5,000? Did you bring enough meat? Did you remember the vegetarians? Do you have enough propane for the grills? Don’t forget these people need something to drink, too! And it should probably all be organic so we don’t offend anyone. You might want to get on it right away, because these people are hungry!! The realization hits you that you didn’t even THINK about having to FEED the people actual FOOD when they followed you out into the wilderness. If you are looking for a kratom seller, in https://kratommasters.com/virginia-botanical-review/ you can find one best kratom vendor.

Can you picture it in your head: The chaos that could ensue from such a predicament? When we read the story of how Jesus fed the 5,000, we often skip over this kind of imagination because it’s uncomfortable and often far to close to our own spiritual leadership situation.

Interestingly enough, Jesus knew ahead of time that the disciples would find themselves in these types of situations. How do I know that? Just before this story is accounted in Mark (chapter 6) and Luke (chapter 9), we see Jesus sending out His disciples with this command: “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.” (Luke 9:3 NKJV, emphasis mine.) The Message translation puts it this way: “Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment.”

Right after this very specific instruction, the apostles were sent to minister in different areas, and upon returning to share their testimonies, Jesus took them away, probably for a little minister’s retreat. But, somehow the word got out, and since people don’t like to be left out, crowds of people crashed the party. (Imagine the chagrin of the disciples: Finally, they get some personal ministry time with Jesus and all these greedy people, likely the people they’ve already ministered to in the days prior, demand more attention…) Jesus saw all these people, felt the heart of the Father toward them, and realized that their need was too great to be ignored.

“Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’” (John 6:5) Wait just one minute, Jesus! You told your disciples not to bring bread or money! If they are truly following after You, and doing exactly what You say, how would they possibly buy bread for all these people? “Philip answered Him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.’” (John 6:7)

How many times have you been in that position? Have you felt like Philip before? I have. God, if you wanted me to feed all these people, why didn’t you provide me the bread or the money to do it? And for that matter, why didn’t you let me know AHEAD OF TIME that I would need to?? I am completely unprepared and it’s all Your fault.

“But this [Jesus] said to test [Philip], for [Jesus] Himself knew what He would do.” (John 6:6) I believe that Jesus instructed them to NOT bring things with them while ministering to prepare them for this moment. Even if the disciples had brought with them ALL that they owned, or could scrape up even from those they ministered to (insert tithes and offerings here) it would not have been enough to feed these people, because they would still have the problem of getting food from the nearest town to where they were. (Imagine being the one to work the drive-thru at the local McDonald’s when they order 2000 Big Macs, 1500 Quarter Pounders with Cheese, 1000 Crispy Chicken Clubs, 500 Filet-O-Fish Sandwiches, and 2500 Kids Meals.) Any party with attendants in the thousands requires massive planning ahead of time, and this was obviously not the case here. Simply put, Jesus knew it was beyond their abilities, and I’m sure realized, in the world’s system, it was impossible.

Jesus had a plan. He had already tapped in to the heart of the Father, felt His compassion for the people, and knew He would provide. He really didn’t expect for the disciples to come up with the food. He expected them to follow His instruction and let Him do the work of the Father. His next instructions were ridiculously simple compared to what would have been required of them had they planned ahead: Make them sit down, distribute the food I give you, and gather up the fragments that remain.

I think as ministers, we can take some things away from the disciples’ experience:

1. God calls us to minister even when we feel we’re empty.

Remember the Message translation of Jesus’ initial instruction? You are the equipment! It’s not about what you have but about who you are. You are a child of the King, anointed and empowered with His Spirit! And His Spirit never runs empty.

2. God wants us to see His heart for His people and not our lack.

When we turn our eyes from our own “equipment” and look at where God has led us, allowing His love to permeate our hearts, He will give us vision for what He wants to do, and how He is going to meet the need. We need to remember that we likely will NOT have what it takes! And that’s okay, because He does.

3. God often calls us to places without allowing us to plan for it.

So, when that happens: Don’t panic! He really didn’t expect us to have a plan, a system, a funding account already set up. He just expected us to follow Him there and be ready to do what He instructs. God doesn’t expect us to figure out the solution, and let’s be real here, our solution would fall magnificently short of His. But He does expect us to give THE SOLUTION. (That’s Jesus, by the way, and He never falls short.)

So, if you find yourself in the middle of a crowd of hungry people with no food, no grill, no water, and nothing organic, look to Jesus because He’s likely got you covered!

 

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