We wish each one of you a very happy and prosperous New Year in 2024! I was reading this passage of Jesus feeding the 5000 and it got me thinking:
Matthew 14: 14-20:
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
He said, Bring them hither to me.
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full
Our story looks like the end of a difficult day. But it was marked by Jesus moving with compassion and with power! There are some great lessons we can carry with us into 2024! It is marked by service, sacrifice, blessings and a miracle!
What moved Jesus to bless others in a time of personal grief?
What moved Him to work when humanly speaking no one would feel like it? Compassion! A sense of responsibility will carry you so far- compassion will take you the extra mile!
His disciples were tired and exhausted, weary and sad. Having already ministered much that day “the time is now past”.
Do you feel that your time to be greatly used of God is past?
This could be generation wise. Perhaps you think something could have happened in another era but not now?
Or it could be down to your own age- maybe you consider yourself too young, too old?
Or is it down to a lack of opportunities- are you too busy or just too late?
None of that is true! Consider Jesus’s generation: they crucified Him and the NT church was birthed! Or young Samuel or old Simeon. Importantly there are always opportunities to be used of The Lord. 2024 is a season of new beginnings in the service of The Lord. It must stem from His love reaching out to others through you.
The theme of course is bringing what we have to Jesus! Don’t major on how little you have; focus on the great need of the day and the infinite power of The Lord Jesus Christ!
This boy has a packed lunch, Moses had a rod, the widow had a barrel of meal and 2 sticks! I don’t ask what you have but I do ask you this: what are you willing to put into The Masters hands?
Much love and blessings from Pastor John and all at Breakthrough Church.