HEY KID THANKS FOR THE FISH

Date: 11.10.09 Speaker: Kristian Martens Texts: Matthew 14:15021, Mark 6:35-44, John 6:4-13, Luke 9:1-17, John 6:25-51, John 20:21, Luke 6:13-16, 1:37 HEY KID, THANKS FOR THE FISH Then Jesus declared, I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. Jesus (John 6:35, niv) Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. Jesus (John 20:21, niv) Lukes gospel is the missionary gospel. Over & over Luke depicts Jesus choosing, training, and then sending his followers out to do His will. It is clear that we follow a sent & sending God (John 20:21). In Luke 9, well se Jesus sending his boys out poorly equipped it would seem to preach & heal, from village to village. He has given them power & authority so it is likely that many respond well to this Jesus. When the disciples report back to Jesus, theyre probably feeling pretty good about themselves. Thinking: Hey we preached, the people we healed... Jesus you should have seen us... But Jesus sends them out again, not village to village but to the crowd simply to feed them. A logistical and economical nightmare, for sure. 15-20 000 men, women & children far from Safeway, Subway & Starbucks not an easy task. It is a test of the disciples faith. They have seen the power & authority of Jesus up close & personal. Theyve seen his authority over wind, waves & even death. They have just been used by Him to heal & transform lives with His Gospel. Is it too much to believe He could feed a hungry mob? On their own power, yes it is. But Jesus teaches that it is not the mission strategy, effort spent or even willingness but what (who) you have to offer that feeds hungry souls. He will go on to call Himself the Bread of Life. And it is He alone who satisfies hungry bodies & souls, then & now. For nothing is impossible with God. the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:37)