Day 158: YOU DO IT

Mark 6:30-56; 2 Samuel 16; Daniel 10:1- 11:2

The story of Jesus feeding the 5 thousand is a nice story. We hear about it a lot in church and we think it is really neat. But how much do we actually apply it to our lives? Jesus wanted to spend some time resting with his disciples, but the crowds kept pursuing him. Even Jesus felt the need to recharge his physical and spiritual batteries.

Then, because of how much he loved them, he foregoes the little vacay and instead gets back to work teaching them. After a while, the disciples come up and sound very caring, saying that "hey, we should send these people to get something to eat! Surely they are hungry and we don't want them to starve!" I bet the believed that Jesus would respond saying, "Aw man, guys, that is really thoughtful of you. Way to go." Not so much. INSTEAD, Jesus said: YOU DO IT. Say what? There are thousands of people, and there are towns and stuff where the hungry people could pick up some stuff off the dollar menu. Jesus said: YOU DO IT. But that's what the programs that the government has set up is for, to care for the people that can't or don't do it. Jesus said: YOU DO IT. We care about other people, we just don't want to expend our own energy to actually help them. We want to just pass them along to another organization or program. Jesus says: YOU DO IT. So after several excuses, Jesus simply tells them to see how much they have. He knows they have some leftovers because when they were on their donkey in the ride-through at McDamascus they bought way too many number 5's. What I find funny is that as Jesus wanted them to show him how much food they had left over, the disciples made sure to explain that they have five SMALL loaves and two fish. Not just five loaves. Five SMALL loaves.

It is so interesting how we know we are in the presence of The Lord. We know that God has the power to move mountains, heal the sick, raise the dead, save the world. And yet, we try to act spiritual rather than being spiritual. We question God. We think that who we are or what we have doesn't amount to much when we are dealing with the one who put the stars in the sky.  Don't think you will be able to get funding for your mission trip? God filled the oceans. Can't figure out how to get the ministry off the ground? God raised the mountains. Struggling to connect with someone and make a relationship work? God created Adam out of dirt. Having a hard time forgiving someone? God sent Jesus to die for us.

Why do we put God in a box and limit our own purpose on this earth? Jesus says: YOU DO IT, because HE WILL HELP.

There is a man cursing David as he and his followers go by. One of David's right hand men, says "let me at him!" but David stops him. Lots of people don't like followers of Christ. Ever notice that? David gives a very courageous response to this man who is hurling insults at him: he says, leave him alone. If God told this man to hollar at them, then they shouldn't interfere, but if he shouldn't be doing that, then God will take care of it.