Jesus is uniquely both fully God and fully human. So, we must try to remember that in his humanity, Jesus got tired both physically and emotionally. People wanted to be in His presence, either to reap the physical benefits (like healing), the spiritual benefits (like hearing new, empowered teaching), or even the social benefits (because Jesus was popular and newsworthy). So, they followed Him, but sometimes he needed to be alone.
One such time “Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the signs He had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with His disciples.” (John 6:1-3) Scripture mentions 5,000 men in this crowd, but it doesn’t mention wives and children who would bring the total closer to 15,000—almost enough to fill an average size NBA arena (18,790 capacity). Visualize that. When Jesus saw the great crowd, He said to Philip, “‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’” (John 6:5-7) When the disciple Andrew found a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, Jesus told the disciples to have the people sit down.
“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” (John 6:11). His disciples gathered twelve baskets full of leftovers and were amazed to participate in this miracle.
The lesson couldn’t be clearer. See the person, not the problem. Put what you have in Jesus’ hands. What you receive from Christ, give to others.
When you keep is all you have, but what you give, God multiplies. We at LECC know that it’s through our hands that God wants to bless and do the miraculous for other people. Those “others” are lost people, broken people, and often hopeless people. God desires that we show them compassion.
We desire that such people visit us at 414987 Highway 9, Eufaula, where we have small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m. and Wednesday night all-age activities at 6:30 p.m. Join us in praying to partner with Him, to see the needy with Jesus’ loving compassion, to open our hearts to helping the miraculous happen and to let Christ feed our eternal souls.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
