Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

The background for today’s devotion comes from Luke 9:1-20.

I sent My disciples across the countryside to teach and preach with three simple rules:

• Travel light
• Stay in the same house until you leave that city
• If a town rejects you, shake the dust from your feet as you leave as a witness against them

They traveled in My name and were amazed at the results that came from their work. Using My name, they healed the sick, drove demons from those possessed, and worked miracles among those with whom they ministered. The seventy-two that went out rejoiced at the work they did. They praised My name and gave glory to Me for the work they did.

Shortly after, I gave them an object lesson that let them know I am the Bread of Life. Luke’s description of the day begins to tell the story pretty well. When I saw all the people hungry for what I could do for them that the temple’s rituals had not done, I had compassion on them. I wanted to show them the power of God to meet their needs. Not just their physical needs, but their sin problem as well. But people won’t listen to a sermon when they’re hungry, so I fed them.

As the disciples arranged them in groups of 50 across the mountainside, the different colors of coats and cloaks looked like a flower garden stretched out on the hillside. Each with a particular need for special nourishment. As I blessed the fish and loaves provided by a little boy, who trusted in Me to use what he had, I thought of each person there and the particular need each represented. The food provided was really just the beginning. As I spoke through their meal, each person, man, woman, boy and girl was touched by the particular message I gave that day.

Many came away amazed at the twelve baskets of bread and fish left over after feeding the crowd, but the real miracle happened in the hearts of those whose lives I changed that day. Those who believed I was the son of God and put their trust in Me found an incredible inner peace and freedom from the guilt of sin in their lives. They found hope they never knew could exist. They understood I cared about them individually and collectively.

The miracle of feeding the crowd with the loaves and fish wasn’t so much about feeding a lot of hungry people with a small amount of food. It was about My compassion, My love, My understanding their needs from the smallest to the largest. I knew them and I know you. And if I can feed that crowd with just two fish and five pieces of bread, I can meet your needs, too. Trust in Me!

Ready – Luke 9:1-20
Set – Genesis 24; Luke 9
Go! – Genesis 23-24; Luke 9

Luke9:1-20
Jesus convened a gathering of the twelve. He gave them power and authority to free people from all demonic spirits and to heal them of diseases. 2 He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3-5 These were His instructions:

Travel light on your journey: don’t take a staff, backpack, bread, money, or even an extra change of clothes.
When you enter a house, stay there until you leave that city.
If a town rejects you, shake the dust from your feet as you leave as a witness against them.
6 The disciples left on their journeys from village to village. They preached the good news, and they healed the sick everywhere they went.

7-8 Their mission didn’t go unnoticed. The local official installed by Rome, Herod, was especially anxious about the news because rumors were flying. Some people said that Elijah or one of the other ancient prophets had been resurrected, while others said that John, famous for his ritual cleansing, was alive and preaching again.

Herod: 9 I am the one who beheaded John. So who is this man who is causing such a stir?

Herod was curious about Jesus and wanted to see Him.

10 The emissaries whom Jesus had sent out returned, and Jesus took them away from the crowds for a time of retreat in a city called Bethsaida. They gave Jesus a full report of their accomplishments and experiences. 11 But soon the crowds discovered where they were and pursued Him. Jesus didn’t turn them away; He welcomed them, spoke of the kingdom of God to them, and brought health to those who needed healing.

12 Picture what happened while in Bethsaida, where Jesus and His disciples were spending time with the crowds:

The sun is low in the sky, and soon it will be dusk. The twelve come to Jesus with advice.

Disciples: Send the crowd away so they can find lodging and food in the nearby villages and countryside. We’re out here in the middle of nowhere.

Jesus: 13-14 No. You give them something to eat.

Disciples: Are You kidding? There are at least 5,000 men here, not to mention women and children. All we have are five loaves and two fish. The only way we could provide for them would be to go to a nearby city and buy cartloads of food. That would cost a small fortune.

Jesus: Just do this: organize them in little communities of about 50 people each and have them sit down.

15 They do what Jesus says, and soon groups of 50 are scattered across the landscape.

16 Then Jesus takes the five loaves and two fish, and He looks up to heaven. He praises God for the food, takes each item, and breaks it into fragments. Then He gives fragments to the twelve disciples and tells them to distribute the food to the crowd.

17 Everyone eats. Everyone is satisfied. Nobody goes away hungry. In fact, when the disciples recover the leftovers, they have 12 baskets full of broken pieces.

18 Once Jesus was praying in solitude. The disciples were nearby, and He came to them with a question.

Jesus: What are the people saying about Me?

Disciples: 19 Some people think You’re John the Baptist. Others say You’re the prophet Elijah, or else one of the other ancient prophets who has come back from the dead.

Jesus: 20 Ah, but what about you? Who do you say that I am?

Peter: God’s Anointed, the Liberating King.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.