St Matthew, Chapter 14, verse: 16, The Needs of the People: Christ's ability.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Jesus feeds five thousand) Part 1.    

The people came.  They came looking for Christ.  They heard the word.  They heard that John the Baptist was murdered and they came looking for Christ to satisfy their needs.  Christ saw their needs and was moved with compassion.  He cured their sick.  He preached the good news of the kingdom.  He restored hope.  He instilled faith.  He gave them assurance.  For chaos had come.  Doubt had come.  Fear began to spread throughout, taking away faith, taking away hope.   But Christ was there and the people sought him for guidance. 

The disciples walked at his side.  The disciples saw the miracles first hand.  The disciples heard the words of heavenly wisdom from the King of Kings, yet not really knowing him.  They watched him cure the sick.  They watched him heal the lame and oppressed.  They saw the casting out of demons.  They knew that he was different.  But they did not know.  The disciples were filled by his presence.  The disciples were at peace in his surroundings because he protected them.  The disciples knew hope from the present day worries through him, but they did not know him.  Christ filled them.  Christ nurtured them.  Christ taught them.  He gave them his blessings that they may perform miracles.  Yet they did not know.  They only knew what was before them and not what was in them.

The night was drawing near and the crowd was large.  There was no food to feed the people and the disciples became worried.  They thought about the needs.  They thought about the consequences.  They thought about the anger and frustration of the people.  The people would come upon them with their frustration and they did not know what to do.  They did not know what was in them so they feared.  The disciples came to Christ and pleaded that he release the people that they may go into the villages and towns and buy food to eat.   The disciples wanted Christ to dismiss the people and send them away for they feared of not meeting the needs of the people.  But Jesus said to them, " They do not need to go away; you yourselves give them some food."    

The disciples did not know what was in them.  They did not know the power that Christ had bestowed upon them.  They did not see the strength that he had given to them within.  They did not understand the glory of his presence that rubbed off on them.  But they wanted to send the people away.  They did not understand what to do with the people.  They did not know that they had the power, through Christ, to feed the people, to satisfy their hunger.  They only wanted to send them away, back to the pits, the trials, the temptations, the sin.  Christ said to the disciples, you yourself feed them, but they did not understand.  

Too often today lost souls come to Christ through the church.  Christ said, you yourself feed them but we do not.  They hunger for spiritual food and we do not feed them.  They are fed scrapes.  They are fed crumbs.  They are fed pieces of what is to be, only to return hungry for more.  Church people are addicted to pieces.  They are addicted to scrapes, not knowing that they can be filled and hunger no more.  But how can you feed the people if you are hungry yourself?  How can you feed the people if you are not filled yourself?  How can you feed the people if you do not know what is in you, yourself?   You will only give scrapes.  You will only give pieces.  You will only give crumbs if you are not filled and overflowing yourself.  Christ told his disciples to feed the people themselves.  They did not know they had the Holy Spirit within them.  They did not know the power of the Holy Spirit to satisfy all needs.  Do you know the Holy Spirit?  Feed the people!   

St Matthew, Chapter 10, verse: 19b, The Enemy and his Tricks.

Our paragraph topic is:  (Opposition foretold) Part 6.  

Christ continues his discussion with his disciples concerning how they are to respond when they are delivered up to the governors and kings.  He is preparing his disciples for mental and spiritual training.  He has told them that they are not to be anxious when they are delivered up.  He wants them to understand what anxiety does to them.  He wants them to understand that anxiety opens the door for the spiritual demons to come in and destroy their defenses.  Anxiety will cause them to be fearful.  Anxiety will lead them to think about the consequences of what will or may happen.  It will take their focus off of today and put it in the past or in the future.  Anxiety will cause their minds to consider endless possibilities of events that are not real and keep them in a circle of fear.  The design of anxiety is to take control and give way to fear.  And it is this fear that prevents the word of God from operating in their lives.

The disciples must remain calm.  They must focus upon the words that Christ has given them,"Do not be anxious how or what you are to speak."   By maintaining mental and spiritual clarity the enemy will not be able to enter the mind or the spirit.  They enemy will have no foothold upon them.  The door will be closed to fear without having any way of entering.  So Christ says this to his disciples so that they can prepare themselves.  The disciples have been with Christ long enough to know that he speaks with authority.  What he says comes true.  What he says is the truth and they can rely upon his words.  They have seen the results of his words, the results of his actions, and they have come to believe and have faith in who he is. 

Why does he tell them to not be anxious?  It is important that they do not allow their minds to not be filled with fear.  It is important that they not attempt to determine for themselves what they are to say, what will be the best words, what will have the most effect.  When they are considering what to say the enemy can read their thoughts.  They enemy can plan an attack that will lead them into destruction.  But with their minds clear, their spirits calm in Christ, the enemy has no clue what is happening.  Then Christ explains why he wants them not to consider what they are to speak.  He tells them, "For what you are to speak will be given you in that hour." 

You see, with the mind clear from fear, the words that they are to speak will be given to them.  The words that they are to say will come to them.  The words that they are to use to defeat the enemy will be spoken by the Holy Spirit through their mouths.  So Christ wants them to be prepared to receive the Holy Spirit.  He wants them to know that they have a companion with them that will defeat the enemy.  He wants them to be bold and steadfast in the battle they will face with the evil spirits that they will face.  This is a wake up all for us today. It is a tool, a weapon that we can use in our daily lives when we face trials and tribulations with the enemy.  Do not be anxious.  Do not be fearful.  For what you are to say and what you are to do will be given to you.  And the enemy will not know how to read you.  They enemy will not know how to defeat you.  The enemy will not know who you are until he sees the power of the Holy Spirit speaking through you. 

Christ trained his disciples well in preparation for the battle.  He has given us words to help us train today to be bold and steadfast and fearless.  Will you head the words of Christ?  Will you accept the training that he gave to his disciples and that he has provide for you today?  Clear your mind.  Calm your spirit.  Be receptive to the word from the Holy Spirit and you will prevail.  Can you hear the words of the Holy Spirit speaking to you, today?