Your Little 1/28/2018

“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”  John 6:9

There is a very famous passage of Scripture in which Jesus feeds more than 5000 people.  To be sure, much has been written and preached about this event, and rightly so.  There are lessons about Jesus' love, compassion and deity.  There are lessons about his apostles' lack of understanding and faith.  There are even lessons about a crowd who largely missed the significance and point of the whole exercise.  Little is said, however, about a young boy and his lunch.

Consider the fact that though virtually nothing is known about him, it can be surmised that he was relatively poor due to the contents of his meal but that he was prepared because he had it.  Though we do not know what his day or life consisted of, he showed up with food among thousands who either had none at all or an amount insufficient for their needs.

Consider also that he was wiling to share.  We know nothing about how the actual exchange took place, but it can be said with a high degree of confidence that Jesus would not take a child's lunch from him by force.  We can therefore surmise that the young man was willing to not just share, but to give all he had.

Finally, it was with this boy's lunch that Jesus indeed and in fact, fed the multitude.  Further, not only where the people filled but there was an abundance that was leftover. 

Beloved, as believers, we have confidence that the Lord can do all things.  We believe that miracles are available and do happen through the power of God.  We also believe that God is fully capable of performing these things with zero assistance from us.  That said, Jesus chose to work in partnership with the youngster.  He took what the boy was willing to share and miraculously multiplied it for the benefit of many.  It is important that we not miss this very important lesson because too often, we feel as if our little is not enough.  We often feel impotent in the face of so many needs and so much pain in the world.  At times we feel this so strongly that we fail to offer the resources, knowledge, skills and abilities we do have, shrug our shoulders and walk away.  Suppose a little boy with his lunch box refused to open it.

Let us be mindful that Jesus never asked us to save the universe.  What he asks of us is that we love others as he has loved us, that we treat others the way we would like to be treated, that with humility, we esteem others more than ourselves and that we lead lives that produce fruit.  Our circle of acquaintances and those with whom we come into contact is limited, but the power of Christ is not.  Let us bring our little and let Jesus do great things with it.

Building God's family,

Lee

Restoration-DD 3/23/2011

"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted."
Gal 6:1

We all know what it is like to make a mistake. Unfortunately, many of us know what it is to have that mistake publicized, thereby exposing us to ridicule and public shame. It seems that we are far too willing to expose others for benefits that are at best, questionable. It is as if we somehow take pleasure in seeing others humiliated. Even if we are not the source of the exposure, many play the role of a grape on the vine.

To be clear, sin should be avoided at all costs. We know that God is not pleased with sinful behavior of any type. We also know, however, that we serve a forgiving God. In this case, blatant and premeditated sin is not the issue under consideration. This is about times and situations that a brother or sister might be overtaken by sin. This indicates that it is not habitual, but more accurately, a mistake.

Beloved, as Christians, we have a responsibility in this situation. Our role can never be to stand idly by and allow our brethren to be captured by Satan. We must move to protect members of the body, sometimes from themselves, as we would a member of our own family who may find themselves caught in activities and habits that are detrimental to them. This is not to say that we should hide sin or even ignore it, but that we should usher them back into a righteous walk through rescue, reproving and restoration.

While we are rendering this aid, it should be in a manner that we ourselves would have aid rendered. In other words, it is not to be made light of or publicized, but dealt with discreetly and with love. The scripture so importantly says that any of us could find ourselves in the same situation. Let us not find cause to add to the shame and pain of a brother or sister. Let us instead cover them with love and restore them.

Loving Like Jesus,

Lee