Example, Teaching, Test

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 

“Bring them here to me,” he said. (Matthew 14:16-18 NIV)

The gifts we have to offer which God himself has given to us must be presented back to Him to be of use to the people around us. We do not have enough of even what we have for ourselves and our family unless He gives the increase.

Jesus was interrupted by the crowds after He got word and was mourning the death of John the Baptist. So He fed the crowd of five thousand and taught the disciples by example in the midst of His grief. Afterward He dismissed the crowd and sent the disciples across the sea and continued His time alone with God. 

The crowd brought themselves to Jesus for healing. The disciples brought their gifts(food) to Jesus for direction and increase. And Jesus modeled compassion, giving, power, and especially dependency. 

Then Jesus and Peter walked on water. 

Lord, 

In the midst of the example, teaching, and test, may I keep my eyes fixed on You.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

James 3:18

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