“When it was evening, the disciples came to [Jesus] and said, ‘This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ But Jesus said, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat’” (Matthew 14:15-16).
This is one of the greatest miracles of Jesus, and the only miracle that is found in all four Gospels. When the disciples were faced with so may hungry people who were following Jesus, Jesus said to his disciples, “You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16). The disciples were bewildered. Then Jesus prayed over the available food and more than 5,000 were fed, with Jesus’ disciples passing out the fish and loaves.
It was always Jesus’ intention to feed the crowd. He knew from the beginning what he was going to do. And it was his intention to use the disciples to feed them, as they served the crowd. Jesus blessed what they had and it was multiplied in the disciple’s hands to feed the crowd.
What is in your possession for God to bless and provide to those around you? Whatever your gifts, talents, possessions, money—no matter what little you have—God can use it in your hands to bring blessings to others. In fact, the miracle Jesus did was precipitated by a command. With just a few loaves and fish Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.”
Whatever it is that you have, you must first commit it into the hands of Jesus for God to use whatever resources and gifts he has given you. Then the Lord will multiply the gift he has given you for the outcome he intends.
Just as the disciples were surprised and overjoyed to see what Jesus was doing through them to feed everyone, so too, God wants to use you to bring great blessing into the lives of others. God does the miracle, but it is your hands that serve others what God multiplies in your life. The result for Jesus, the disciples, and the people was that, “They all ate and were satisfied” (Matthew 14:20). There was even some left over to bless others with later!
Memory Verse
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3).
Application
Do you wonder what you can do for the kingdom of God? Do a personal inventory of your life. What are you good at? What talents or resources do you have? Whatever they are, you can use them in serving others, in helping others to know Jesus. Submit your time, talents, and treasure to Christ and ask him to multiply them in service to others.
