Created to BeSample

You Feed Them

By Niles Holsinger

I love the story in Luke 9 about Jesus feeding the 5,000. As it gets late and the multitude gets hungry, we see the disciples show extreme concern for the people who were following Jesus. They wanted to see the people fed, sheltered, and cared for. They knew Jesus had the answer for what the people needed. He had the influence and the authority to send them away to go home, eat, and rest. But Jesus did not send the people away. He looked at His disciples and responded the same way that He does today, “You feed them.” 

There is no doubt this world is in great need of a Savior. There is hunger, pain, hate, and all kinds of evil. There are people hurting and being hurt and people who have no hope. You can find them in faraway countries on the other side of the world and down the street from where we live. 

At one point or another, we have all witnessed this pain and hopelessness around us and have responded with prayer to our mighty, loving God to act. And Jesus’ response is, and has been from the days He walked this earth, “You feed them.”

God has chosen us, His children, to be His hands and feet. He has chosen to work in and through us to reach those around us who need Him. Not only has He chosen us, but He has equipped us for this work. Each and every one of us has been beautifully and wonderfully created. We have been given unique gifts, talents, and personalities that He can use to speak into the lives of those around us who are hurting. All we have to do is obey.

Jesus instructed the disciples to gather together what they could find and to bring it to Him. Taking what they had, He blessed it and fed the multitude.

What do you have? What gifts or talents do you have to bring to Jesus? Be bold, present them to Him, and allow Him to use them to feed those around you who are hurting. Maybe you feel called to the nations or to the single mom down the street. Let’s not be a people who witness the hurting around us hoping someone will act. Let us go boldly before the Father and ask Him to send us. We “freely received,” now it is time for us to “freely give” (Matthew 10:5–8). Who is God calling you to feed today?

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to the people around the world and down the street who need You. Use me to reach them. I willingly give You all I have. Take it all. Take all of me. Use me to be Your hands and feet. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

"For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21