Responding in Faith in the Test

Matthew 14-16 

“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns…Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’”

Matthew 14:13, 16

Grieving the martyrdom of his cousin, John the Baptist, Jesus withdrew from the crowds. When they followed him, he had a choice whether to teach, heal, and minister to them, or withdraw again. The disciples, some of whom had been former disciples of John, were also grieving. A crowd of hurting, hungry people was the last thing the disciples wanted. It was in those challenging circumstances, when they were at the end of their emotional and physical resources, that Jesus challenged the disciples to feed 5,000 men plus their families.

Are we feeling stretched beyond our reasonable capacity to respond to needs around us?

Jesus then asked the disciples to start with what they had – five loaves and two fish – to bring/surrender these to him. Jesus began to multiply what they gave to him. This process of surrender continues to be the way forward in our tests today.

“Lord Jesus, I offer all I have to you in the tests of this season, for your glory.”