Scripture References: Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:48 (NKJV)
One year a friend and I took a road trip from Seattle to Winthrop, Washington. Winthrop consists of villages that remind you of the German and Norwegian immigrants that settled there. The villages are surrounded by snow cap mountains and beautifully colorful European buildings. Winthrop is well known for their festivals, skiing, and beautiful pottery shops. I particularly like the pottery shops, the custom-made ceramic pieces and dinnerware are breathtaking. I remember walking through the narrow aisles and hoping that I would not accidentally break items that were displayed. Oh, what a disaster that would be to cause a shelf full of ceramic vases to come crashing down on the floor breaking these beautiful items into hundreds of broken pieces. I can imagine the customers and the owner gasping for air as they watched helplessly. Any hope of salvaging any of the pottery would not be beneficial and profitable. The only action to take would be to gather the pieces, throw them away and count the item as a loss. They would not have time to start the process of making new pottery because tourist season had already begun and the visitor’s information center had reported that over 1,000 tourists were visiting weekly. As my imagination ran away on a potential disaster, I became very cautious as I walked the store aisles because I would not be able to help restore or place pottery back on the shelves.
Luke 9:10-17 narrates a life lesson taught by Jesus to His disciples. Jesus had just finished preaching the powerful message of the Kingdom of God and healing those in need of healing. Afterward, Jesus took His disciples to a private deserted place belonging to the city of Bethsaida. Probably to get rest and to teach the disciples about what they had just witnessed; this was the pattern of Jesus. However, the multitude of people – about 5,000 – followed. They did not want to leave Jesus. Where would they go after hearing Jesus speak and seeing miracles of healing? The disciples became disturbed about all those people still wanting to see Jesus and it was getting late in the day. So, the disciples went to Jesus asking Him to send the people away so that they could find food and lodging in the surrounding towns. Jesus knew the disciples were not really concerned about the sincere well being of the multitude. They were tired and wanted to rest in peace, but they were not totally honest with their reason. Being who Jesus is, He taught them a lesson from the level of reason the disciples gave Him.
Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” The disciples probably became puzzled at Jesus’ words because they only had five loaves of bread and two fish. They were not accountants, but they knew in the natural reality of their minds that their resources in hand were limited. They still underestimated the authority of Jesus, even after witnessing the healing miracles. I love how this miracle unfolds right before their eyes. Jesus instructed the disciples to have the multitude of people sit down. Next, He took the food and blessed it. Then, Jesus broke the bread and fish and gave them back to the disciples to set before the people. The story goes on to say that the people ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of leftovers were taken up by them. The miracle unfolds even more – just as Jesus took broken pieces of bread and fish to feed 5,000 people, what do you think Jesus can do with the brokenness of your life? Those things that have been fragmented in such a way where you feel like forgotten leftovers, only to be thrown away?
When we look to Jesus, our Provider, Healer, Deliverer, and Redeemer, He will take broken lives and give purpose and new life again. He is your Multiplier, taking your limitations and manifesting His glory to fill you until you overflow into the lives of others. You will be an eyewitness to the miracle done in your life and the overflow.
John 6:47-48 states, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the Bread of life.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I just want You and all that You purposed for my life. Take my brokenness and use it to Your glory. Multiply Your glory, that I may overflow into the lives of others as Your message. In Jesus Name. Amen.
© 2018 Evonne Hinson