SCRIPTURE: Mark (NIV) 8:1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 How many loaves do you have? Jesus asked. “Seven” they replied.
OBSERVATION: The crowd was hungry and needed something to eat. Jesus had compassion—he understood the need. The miracle of feeding the 4,000 with only seven loaves and few small fish ended with seven basketfuls of leftovers! It all started with Jesus asking what they had.
It is good to note that feeding the people was Jesus’ idea. The disciples were participating in His ministry. Jesus was not accompanying them to support them and to make sure that their ministry was successful. They were with HIM. They were assisting HIM. They had not gathered the crowd and then realized that they did not have enough. They were with HIM and doing what HE gave them to do.
APPLICATION: The hungry people were not the disciple’s problem, but His. Many times, the need I face is because I have not carefully been following His directions. Something seemed good to me, and I rushed ahead to do something great for the Lord. The problems are mine!
If I am in step with Jesus, not running ahead nor lagging behind, I will discover that He has already made provision. What He has provided may seem insufficient, but He is the “Great Multiplier!”
PRAYER: Jesus, thank you for letting me be a part of what you are doing. You make what seems to be insufficient to be sufficient—even more than sufficient! (Note: this SOAP ministry is YOUR ministry!) Amen
Pastor Leon
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