Tuesday: SIT DOWN AND GET READY TO BE BLESSED!

Jun 21, 2022
2 min read

Lord, I desperately look to You to receive Your blessing. I realize I lack the resources to meet my needs on my own.

Luke 9:10-17

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

The crowds followed Jesus because He performed miracles, and He spoke about things in a way they had never heard before. The disciples saw the people were tired and hungry, and so they came up with a solution: send them away and let them fend for themselves.

The disciples were surprised when Jesus put the ball back in their court: “You give them something to eat.” They replied that they didn’t have the resources to feed such a large crowd.

Jesus then showed everyone present that God would provide for their needs. He had the disciples organize the people into groups. Then He took the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke them.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS: The miracle occurred when Jesus looked up, gave thanks, and broke the fish and bread. Jesus wasn’t just saying grace over the meal; He was looking to His heavenly Father to bless the food and provide for the needs of the crowd. I can learn a lot from this event.

· I learn how to prepare for His blessing. Getting people ready to eat in groups is like setting the table when there isn’t any food to be served. If I prepare others to receive God’s blessing, they will know He provided it for them.

· I learn how to prepare for His power. Jesus prayed with dependency on the Father to bless the people with provision. God has the ability to provide for my needs. I should pray with anticipation that God will respond to my prayer with His power.

Lord, please help me to prepare for blessing and look to You to provide with Your power.

May you be blessed, Chaplain Wayne Ruckman