It was sort of
a “dinner on the grounds,” even though the food was spiritual. In that moment
God offered a kind of “daily bread” to Web Carroll through the resource of Ugandan
hymnbooks, which saved his life and brought salvation to others.
Perhaps in the
back seats of our lives can be found resources that will not only save our lives
but will save the lives of others. People need some grace that is amazing. This
grace comes through literal bread and fish for there are those who suffer from
hunger. There are those who are starving and wounded who need a bit of amazing
grace. Take what you have and watch Jesus multiply it for a great dinner on
the grounds.
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Jesus Uses His
Followers to Serve the Dinner (v. 19)
After Jesus took
the fish and loaves, and offered a blessing, He “gave them to the disciples
and the disciples gave them to the crowd”(v. 19). Jesus doesn’t do
ministry by Himself. He uses His disciples as instruments in meeting the needs
of others, wherever they are, as they wait to be served dinner on the grounds,
even if they are unaware of their wait and need for food. The church is His
eyes, His ears, His hands, His feet, His voice, and His miracle workers. We
are to provide food, physical and spiritual, for a hungry humanity.
The task of ministry
is entrusted to those who have responded to Jesus’ invitation to an everlasting
feast. God uses us to bless others in need. Don’t be afraid to serve dinner
on the grounds. Don’t be afraid to eat with those you serve on the grounds,
either.
Jesus used His
disciples to multiply the fish and bread. He uses Christians today as God’s
instruments in meeting the needs of others — Habitat for Humanity, Salvation
Army, The Soup Kitchen, and through other means.
God uses whatever
we bring to him. What will you bring?
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Sermon brief provided by: Jimmy Gentry, Pastor of
Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton, GA