You give them something to eat
Luke 9:1-17
Key Verses: 13a
He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
Up to this point in Luke’s gospel, Jesus had done all the preaching and healing. In today’s passage, we come to a turning point in his ministry. Jesus begins to train his disciples as kingdom workers just like himself. So, Jesus sends them out with power and authority to preach, to heal, and to drive out demon, just as he had done. Though they are in remote place, Jesus commands them to feed a massive crowd of people, saying “You give them something to eat.” Jesus wants his disciples to grow to be kingdom workers just like him. Then, what should the disciples learn to be shepherd like Jesus? In the same way, Jesus wants us to grow to be his true disciples who participate in his life-giving ministry to lost and needy souls. What should we learn here be a shepherd like Jesus? Knowledge of the Bible, Social or Speech skill, even Medicine. Here Jesus teaches the disciples Faith in God and Compassionates Heart for lost and needy souls. It is not only by power, authority or technique, but also by his faith in God and his compassionates heart, Jesus carries the work of Salvation. Let us learn how to be disciples of Jesus!
First, Taking nothing for the journey (1-9)
Look at verses 1-2. “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.”
For the last 3 years, the Twelve had closely followed Jesus. Following him wherever he went, the disciples had listen to His teachings, seen how he healed the sick and drove out demons. Many times they were amazed by his power and authority; Often Jesus had defended them from the religious leaders; even they were rebuked for their lack of faith. But here Jesus called the Twelve together and sent them out. It might be like sending our vision to Muslim Mission. In Mt10:16, even Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” The disciples were not well educated nor have spiritual qualifications unlike Pharisees or teachers of the law. However, Jesus chosen them because they were good followers, who could listen, learn, and imitate Jesus and grow to be like Jesus. That is all what Jesus was looking for; good follower of Jesus. Such men would lead the church of Jesus in the future.
Jesus did not send them empty handed. Jesus equipped them to be powerful kingdom workers. During summer semester, campuses are filled with a lot of sheep with good soil hearts. When we go out, we also need to be equipped to be powerful gospel workers. How did Jesus equip them?
First, Jesus equipped them with his power and authority. Jesus gave them power and authority to heal the sick and drive out demons. Such power and authority were given to them to do the very things that Jesus was doing. Here we learn that no one can do the work of God by their own wisdom or power or resources. God’s work can only be done by God and by those who depend on God’s power and authority. When we go, we do not rely on our own strength, but rather we are sent by Jesus, equipped with His authority and His power. We should be equipped with this spiritual identity, as a servant of God almighty.
Second, Jesus equipped them with the message to proclaim to all nations, the message of the Kingdom of God. Do you have this message of the Kingdom of God to preach? Otherwise, there is no reason to go out. This message of the kingdom of God is the message of salvation, of eternal life, and of hope in Heaven. In the beginning, God reigned over the creation. It was very good. But Sin and death came into the world, through one man, Adam’s disobedience. Man lost the kingdom of God. He exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of created things. Since they lost God in their hearts, they became slaves to sin, offering themselves to be instruments of evil. That is why they are fearful, insecure, and anxious and enslave to all kinds of sinful desires. But, Jesus, the son of God, has come to save us from sin and death and to rule over us with love, peace and justice. In this way, Jesus restores the kingdom of God in us. Col 1:13 say, “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves.”
Thank Jesus for equipping this sinner with the message of the kingdom of God. By His word, “Son, your sins are forgiven!” Jesus forgave all my sins and set me free from all condemnation. How about you? We need the equipping of God’s word and the Holy Spirit to minister to others in Jesus’ name. We also must go to the lost and needy, with prayer and conviction that we are sent by Jesus, for his name’s sake.
In verses 3-5, Jesus gives specific instructions to his disciples. “He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”
What going on a journey, the first thing we may think is “what should I pack?” We want to anticipate our needs and to make sure we are prepared. But Jesus told them to take Nothing. If Jesus had not problem with giving them power and authority, then why did he not let them have something basic provisions even? Also, we want to find the best hotel or house through booking.com, Expedia, or Priceline. But Jesus told them not to look for a better place. They were to accept, with gratitude, whatever hospitality was shown them. They would rely on the welcome of open-hearted people. What about when they were rejected? Jesus also said, “If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” Jesus warned them not to discourage after being rejected, because anyone who rejected them actually rejecting Jesus and rejecting Jesus was rejecting God who sent him. Definitely, not everyone is glad to hear the message of God’s kingdom, since repentance is not a comfortable message for anyone.
What does Jesus’ instruction teach the disciples about the work of God? “Taking Nothing”
Means that the disciples should learn to depend of God for everything they need. They should trust in God’s provisions. Simply, they should have faith in God in doing the work of God. It is because The work of God begins and ends with God. The work of God cannot be done by our own skill, talents, money or strength. It will not done when we feel comfortable and read to do them. No. God’s work is done when God decides to do it. It does not make sense for us to start depending on stuff and circumstances. All we need to do is have faith in God. We may think – If I only had a little bit more money to secure my future, I can serve the Lord. If my job was a bit less stressful, then I could devote more time to God. It means that we are relying more on what this world can give us rather than what God can do for us.
There are many thing we think that we need to do the work of God such as Bible House in the campus, Bible club house, better job, better English. These are things that we need, but God did not seems to provide. It seems if we could have those things, God’s work could be done more effectively. But the truth is that none of these things can help nor hurt what God is going to do. Rather, what we should do is take nothing, but have faith in God and rely on God who provides what we need and follow God’s leading. We may go out campus, taking nothing but the bible and faith in God.
Was their journey successful? Verse 6 tells us that it was: they proclaimed the good news of God’s kingdom and healed the sick everywhere they went. In fact, so successful was their mission, that even Herod the tetrarch heard about it and he was perplexed. It was because of the rumors that Jesus was John the Baptist raised to life again. After all, these were disciples of Jesus doing amazing miracles. Others thought Jesus was Elijah or another prophet from centuries earlier. Herod was haunted by his evil act and wondered if John was alive again. So, he wanted to meet Jesus.
Second, You give them something to eat (10-17)
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. They had never experienced such power and authority in their lives. People’s diseases were healed and demons were driven out of many by the power and authority of Jesus that was given them.
Jesus knew that his disciples were very tired. They needed some rest.
Jesus then took his disciples with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida. However, their plan for taking some rest did not seem to go as planned. Verse 11 says that the crowds learned about it and followed them. Their vacation plan was suddenly interrupted by these shameless people. People began to gather around Jesus and formed crowd again.
How did Jesus react to this intrusion? Look at verse 11. It says, “He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.” Jesus welcomed them with a big smile and began to teach about the kingdom of God, as if he had prepared an entire sermon for them. “Welcome” What a beautiful word! It is amazing that Jesus welcomed them. They were not rich and famous or the elite of society or the well-educated. They were just shameless, demanding, and burden some who needed help in many ways. Yet Jesus welcomed them. Everyone else felt burdened by them, but not Jesus. He welcomed them with joy and was genuinely glad to see them. This is Jesus’ welcoming heart toward people. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” His heart is broad enough to welcome all sinners. His love is deep enough to embrace all sinners.
As you know I was really shy boy. I always felt unsecure and rejected. When I went to Myungyoun center, a beautiful woman welcomed with big welcoming smile, holding my hands and saying “Welcome. Brother Sunggi.” Many already knew my name and welcomed me with big smiles. I could feel that I was welcomed and I was accepted. Then, right away I registered Bible Academy. In the world, even in the campus, people become indifferent to each other. People become self-centered and individualistic. Let’s welcome brothers and sisters with big hearts and with big smiles. It is possible when we deeply understand Jesus’ welcoming heart for the lost.
As Jesus ministered to people one by one, he did not seems to realize that time was passing. It was late afternoon, and the sun was now setting over the western horizon. The disciples had waited patiently, without complaining about their cancelled vacation. It was late afternoon, and the sun was now setting over the western horizon But now they felt compelled to speak up. So, the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” What they suggested was actually thoughtful, reasonable and practical. 1) It was late in the afternoon. It was already dark. 2) It was remote place. There was no food store, and no “Holiday In”. 3) They did not have money to buy food for more than 5000 people. 4) They were also tired and hungry. The solution is to send them away. What else can you suggest?
How did Jesus reply to them? 13A “he replied, “You, give them something eat.” Jesus shocked the disciples. Someone might have wanted to say “Jesus, be reasonable! Be realistic! Even if we would buy a dollar menu for each, we need at least $5000.” Jesus definitely knew how much money they had on pocket. It might be just several dollars. Then, why might Jesus command his disciples, “You give them something to eat.”
Through Jesus’ command, we can think of three things that Jesus challenged the disciples to grow and become more like him. First of all, Jesus wanted his disciples to have faith in God Almighty. Jesus knew that it was impossible; they could not do so. However, when they have faith in God who makes impossible possible, they challenge impossible thing for with God, everything is possible. Jesus wanted them to have faith to participate in God’s impossible provision. Jesus did not expect them to bring million dollar which they do not have. However, Jesus wants the disciples not to give up, but to look for what they have and bring it to Jesus. That is how the disciples would carry out the work of God. Faith in God makes difference and that makes miracle happens.
Second of all, Jesus wants them to have compassionate heart, called shepherd hearts. “You give them something to eat.” Jesus wanted them to learn the spirit of giving. The spirit of giving does not come from bank account balance. The spirit of giving does not come from big salary. If so, here no one can give. This spirit of giving comes from compassionate heart. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Why did God give his one? God loved the world so much that he could not just let us die in our sins. He gave his son out of love to save sinner. God’s compassion heart compels him to offer Jesus to be the perfect lamb of God. This is the beginning of the great work of God. UBF Ministry began for M. Sarah Berry and Dr. Samuel had compassion over suffering Korean students under the spirit of bagger. NJ Ministry began for M. John had struggled to live by the word of God “you give them something to eat.” Where there is no compassion, there would be like dry desert, no life, no work of God. One will go out campus and share one word of God because he has love and compassion. One will teach and rebuke the young generation
Third of all, Jesus wanted his disciples to have a sense of responsibility. Irresponsible people say, “That’s not my job. Let someone else do it.” Jesus doesn’t want his disciples to avoid responsibility. Jesus said “You.” It means that it is you who would feed 5000 people. Who would feed over 7000 Rutgers campus students? It is you, not someone. The words “sense of responsibility” may sound dutiful. But, we are greatly privilege to do his work. But a sense of responsibility comes from love. In John 21, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter answered, “Yes, Lord. You know that I love you.” Then Jesus said, “Feed my lambs! Take care of my sheep! Fee my sheep!” When we love God, we will work hard to feed sheep. When Jesus said, “You give them something to eat,” it meant we must have a sense of responsibility for the flock of God’s sheep.
Look at verses 14b-17. Jesus said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, [Jesus] gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
Jesus had his disciples participate in this feeding of the huge crowd. They helped the people to sit down in groups of 50, as if to get ready for lunch in groups. That means there were about 100 groups of 50. Jesus also had them help to distribute the bread to the huge crowd. Jesus helped his disciples to participate in the miracle: they brought five loaves and tow fish, let people sit down, distributed the food to the people, and picked up the leftover. Thought Jesus could work by himself, he worked together with his disciples to raise them up as shepherd for the crowds. Participating this miracle, they could learn how to work by faith, how to work with God, and remember God and his blessing. Still we can participate in this wonderful miracle. How? “Five loves and two fish” That is the secret of God’s wonderful ministry. Those who obey Jesus’ challenge, “You give them something to eat!” they will experience God’s mighty power. There will be miracles.
In today’s Bible passage, Jesus equipped his disciples to preach and to heal and to feed the hungry. Jesus enabled them to participate in the life-giving work of God. Jesus still wants us to participate in his kingdom work. We need to be equipped by Jesus through his living word and Holy Spirit. Jesus wants to send us to those in need. Jesus wants us to have faith and compassion to minister to others in Jesus’ name. May Jesus lead us and equip us with faith and compassion to serve the lost and needy in Jesus’ name.