GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done 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. Luke 9:10-11

He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. Luke 9:10-11

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.” Luke 9:12-14

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.” Luke 9:12-14

(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. Luke 9:15-17

Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people 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. Luke 9:15-17

THREE OBSERVATIONS

1 PEOPLE ARE NEEDY

The problems people encounter can be the entry point for us to minister to them

2 WE ARE INADEQUATE

Jesus uses tired, emotionally drained people

Jesus uses busy people

Jesus uses people who lack resources

The insufficient becomes more than sufficient when surrendered to Christ

3 GOD IS ABLE

Yield what you have, not what you don’t have

Yield our inadequacies to Jesus to use as He pleases

What did Jesus do with the boy’s lunch?

1 Jesus blesses

God’s blessing means a working of God that is far in excess of human calculations

Without the Lord’s blessing, Five loaves and two fish were inadequate. With His blessing, it was more than enough.

2 Jesus breaks

You won’t find God’s blessing apart from God’s breaking

“God uses broken things “God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume. It is Peter, weeping bitterly, who returns to greater power than ever.” Vance Havner

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

3 Jesus satisfies

12 baskets for 12 disciples but they had to serve the multitudes first

Lose yourself in service for Jesus and He will make sure you get a basket full after you’re done