Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Give It All Away

John 6:8-11 (New International Version)

8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
10Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11Jesus 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

Just some thoughts today.
5,000 men plus women and children were following Jesus. One family had something to eat and they may have given the 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish to the eldest son. The group stops, its time to eat, the mother and father sit the family down and ask the eldest to get the food out. In the mean time, Andrew is looking around to see any of the 10000 brought food. No. He only sees a boy getting some food out of his hand sown bag. I want to ponder a few things: There is NO place to buy food up on the mountainside-a person had to provide for themselves, so how did the transfer of food take place. In verse 11 it says that Jesus took the loaves. So the boy gave all he had, but did he just hand it over? Did the family/father tell him to put it away so they could eat it later, and not to let any one know he/they had it? If you were on a mountain side and someone came up and took the food you had, would you fight them and have a "UFC battle royal on the hill"? I think I would. But that didn't happen. A boy, a family gave it all away. Why? Obedience! "Jesus, the Christ, has asked for it, I don't know why or what is going to happen but the Master needs it so I have it to give. Here, I release my hands of the only food I have".
God has given me everything I have. But it is not mine. If he asks for it, in whatever way, I need to do as the boy and his family did and give it all away. Amen.

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