DAY 5 - READ MATTHEW 14:13-21 AND JOHN 6:1-11
Jesus had been with the crowds all day, ministering to people’s needs. It was getting late, past suppertime, and frankly, the disciples were tired of dealing with all the people. “Send the crowds away,” the disciples told Jesus, “Let them go home and take care of themselves for a while. Surely you do not expect us to be responsible for all of their needs?”
When a church is challenged with growing needs, it is easy to say, “Just send the crowds away. Surely it is not our responsibility to minister to all of these people.” It is easy to say that to your fellow disciples who are also ready to go home for supper. Don’t try saying that to Jesus! Jesus’ response was clear: “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” The disciples looked at a crowd of more than 5,000 wondering, “how can we meet that kind of need?”
Calvary Bible Church has a long history of people being called by Jesus to meet the needs of the crowd both voluntarily and vocationally. Ministries like AWANA, Children’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Men’s Ministry, C-Team, SWAT, New Commandment, Blended and Blessed, Grief Share, Equipping Classes, Threads of Hope, Villages of Hope, and more exist because humble, willing people have responded to God’s call and stepped out in faith. Rather than sending the crowds away, faithful people have stepped forward to meet the needs of those around them. We are so grateful for the faithfulness and generosity of those who have gone before us at CBC! God has used them in immeasurable ways.
Meeting the needs of the crowd can be over-whelming. As Philip says in John’s account, “Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them even to get a little!” Seeing the need and determined to do what he could, a boy gave five loaves and two fish. What was his gift among so many people? Jesus took the gift, blessed it, and the crowd of more than 5,000 was fed. Needs are met when a person makes a gift of the best they can offer and asks Jesus to bless and use that gift.
The need may seem overwhelming. Your gift may appear to be inadequate. But all Jesus asks is the best that you can offer. When you give your best to Jesus, expect a miracle. Expect God’s grace to work in and through you, and in and through other people, to accomplish more than you imagined.
ACTION ITEM
Begin now to think about your part, your gift, both in our church and in this campaign. Start the conversation that asks, “Lord, what would you do through me to meet the needs of the crowd?”