Today I had my usual
Wednesday AM Bible Study which I normally thoroughly enjoy and can not
wait to attend. But this morning I didn't feel like going.
Last week I played hookie but it was to have a much needed conversation
with my husband. I felt as if we had Bible Study here,at
home, just the two of us. God definitely showed up.
Today was different. I felt as if I was really supposed to be
there today. Satan seemed to be the one tempting me to stay
home. It was truly a blessed time. More happened today than
I could begin to tell you but I wanted to share a little with
you.
We begin in John Chapter 6 where Jesus feeds the
Five Thousand. John the Baptist has just died and Jesus tries to
find a quiet place to grieve and be alone but the people follow
him. This reminds me of all
the times I try to get just 5 minutes alone in the bathroom without my
toddler banging on the door screaming “Mommy, are you in there?”.
Jesus, however, welcomed the people, having compassion on them and
healed their sick (Luke 9:10, Mark 6:30 and Matthew 14:13). “They
were like sheep without a shepard.” (Mark 6:34)
Do I react this way to my toddler? Yikes!
After teaching the people Jesus initiates feeding them by asking
Phillip where to buy some food. After careful consideration
Philip decides there is no practical way to feed them. Now,
I wonder, did Jesus want him to come to this conclusion? How
often do I turn away from something because there is no practical
solution? What was the one thing left out of the equation?
You got it….it's JESUS. Phillip forgot that Jesus was there.
So you know the rest of the story.
Jesus takes the 5 small barley loaves and two small fish and feeds five
thousand people. He even asks his disciples to have them sit
(relax) on GREEN
grass (remember they are in the desert!!!!) and has them distribute the
food to the people. When everyone had eaten their fill they
gather 12 baskets of leftovers. There are more leftovers then
there was at the beginning of the meal. Don't you wish our houses were like that??
I think this tells us so much about Jesus's love for us.
- First,
He is compassionate……He sees our needs and puts them before his own
(in this story His need for rest and solitude).
- Second…..He cares for our physical needs such as hunger. And they are important to Him.
- Third…..He
is able to provide the unimaginable!! Five loaves and two fish
feeding five thousand people!! Can you imagine that?
- Fourth…..He also care for our comfort. He asked the people to sit on Green grass in the desert to eat.
- Fifth
and almost most importantly…..He asks us only to deliver what He has
already given us. The disciples were like waiters, distributing
the food JESUS had given. He will never ask us to do anything
without providing us with what is to be give first.
Do I love Jesus, the person, or do I love Him for what HE can do for me?
“Oh Father, help me love Jesus back the way He loves me.”
Julie
hhmmmmm……
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