A New Perspective

       If you have grown up in church or not, you have probably heard of the story about the feeding of the 5,000 found in Matthew 14:31-21. Jesus was going out on a boat to probably mourn the loss of John the Baptist, who was beheaded by King Herod. Jesus returns to land to see a large crowd has arrived. Jesus begins teaching until late in the evening. The disciples wanted Jesus to "get rid" of the people so they can go eat, but Jesus responded telling them that they should give the people food. Honestly, the disciples probably had a moment of panic when Jesus said this. The disciples began to complain that it would take more than half a years wages. Jesus then asked them to go and find out what they have. The disciples found five loaves and two fish from a boy's lunch. All the people were fed and were left satisfied.
       The Disciples were doubtful-- The disciples have been with Jesus for much time seeing him to many miraculous things. They were probably doubtful because they were tired and hungry. They began to forget the miracles that Jesus had previously done. Majority of the time, we doubt the work Jesus can and will do. We see all that He has done in the past, but in the moment of adversity, we doubt what He can do.
      The boy was available-- The little boy was there. The loaves and fish were just for him. The Bible doesn't mention this, but I'm reading "in between the lines" that many of the people probably had food with them. The boy's thought process was probably like this, "This man who is teaching sent his disciples maybe because he is hungry. I can go without a meal." Many times, we are too involved in our own needs that we are not available to the needs of others. Our society tells us that it is all about us. When you are available to what God wants, you can be used to do immeasurably more things to further His kingdom/
      The boy gave it all-- This boy who gave the meal, it is mentioned that he gave all he had. We are in a society where we just keep things to ourselves. In sports, you are told to give it 110%. When you do not give it all you have, you tend to regret decision you made during the game. The boy in the story could have only gave 2 loaves and 1 fish, but he did not. God does not want only 40% of our lives, but He wants it all. We tend to give Him only a 40% effort. God sent His son, Jesus, with 100% to save the world. What if Jesus only gave a 30% effort when dying for you on the cross? God is constantly pursuing you with all He has. Are you pursuing Him with all YOU have?