You Feed Them…

Scripture: Matt. 14-16

Matthew 14:15-17
Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We’re out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper.”

But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.”

“All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said.

Observations: Jesus wasn’t a one man ministry. Jesus’ first response to the situation was, “You do it. You feed them.” It would seem that Christ thought the disciples more than capable of accomplishing the task. Hrm….

Application: Expect more from the laity. They have gifts and graces. Gifts and graces aren’t “collectibles.” Yes, they will talk about what they don’t have, and what they don’t know. But the point is this: While they may need a demonstration of some acts of ministry, they need to know even before they are ready/able/willing that this work is expected of them as well at some point–preferably sooner rather than later.

Prayer: Good morning, God. Thank you for the gifts you’ve given me. Help me to see the gifts in others–and to expect their use. Amen.