JESUS IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

August 9, 2016

JESUS IS MORE THAN ENOUGH!

Luke 9:10–17

Robin Howard

Central Truth

Jesus is never inconvenienced by those who are seeking Him in their time of need. Jesus knows our inadequacy, and He meets us where we are with truth and compassion.

When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. (Luke 9:11)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

10 On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

The disciples have just returned from a mission trip where they shared the gospel and healed those in need. It was time for rest and renewal. I know I would be ready for some down time. Even after a long day or week of serving others, I am always ready for a break to do what I want to do. But when Jesus and His disciples retreated, the crowds followed. No rest for the weary.

I know I might have been a little resentful and irritated if the crowds had followed me when I was seeking to “take a break.” I think the disciples probably were thinking the same thing, but Jesus showed compassion toward the crowd who were earnestly seeking Him. He met them where they were. He spoke truth to them and healed those who were in need.

As it is getting late in the day, the disciples continue to reveal their concern for their own need of rest in lieu of concern for the crowd and their needs when they suggest that Jesus send the crowd on their way. They certainly didn’t have any means to feed and provide lodging for that many. Wait a minute! Did the disciples forget whom they were with? They knew they were inadequate to meet the needs of the crowd, but they didn’t even ask Jesus, who had performed so many miracles in their presence, for His solution. How many times do I focus on my inadequacies rather than on my all-powerful Savior or give up because I have no solution and fail to seek the Lord for His?

In His compassion, Jesus meets the needs of the crowd with blessing and abundance while continuing to patiently demonstrate His deity to His disciples. He reminds them and us that He is always available to meet our needs when we seek Him. He is always more than enough.

1. How do you respond when your schedule or plan for the day is interrupted by the unexpected? (Philippians 4:6-8)

2. When you face the impossible or do not have the resources to meet a need, where do you seek solutions or help? (Philippians 4:19)

3. When you feel inadequate, do you wallow in insecurity and make excuses or cry out to Jesus who is able and willing to meet you in your inadequacy?