Matthew 15:32-39 / Mark 8:1-10…
Fasting and food…
Jesus was once again showing that He was the answer to our needs, no matter who we are. When He had fed the 5000, it was a Jewish crowd. Yet He was in Gentile country when He feeds the 4000. The grace of God is available to all who humbly believe in Him (cf. Isaiah 57:15).
We have been seeing an interwoven intercession as we have been following along these passages. Jesus draws us to Himself. We go to Jesus on behalf of people; we have tenacity in our trust, a fighting faith (Matthew 15:21-28 / Mark 7:24-30). We bring others to Him in our prayers, hoping He will give them a personal word (Mark 7:31-37). We follow Jesus, and as we walk along we sit at His feet, coming to know our mission experientially (Matthew 15:29-31).
Another facet of this intercession is fasting. The crowds had come to see the healings, and now Jesus had compassion even while they had not been complaining. The people were fasting, and then they were fed. We feel Jesus’ compassion for certain people that are without the spiritual food they need, even before they may realize it. Jesus makes the first move of compassion in our hearts, and we fast as empathy and enter into intercession on behalf of people.
Apparently, the disciples were just not able to make the connection between one miracle (feeding of the 5000) and another. Still, He uses them to meet the needs of the people. It is intimate intercession. The people knew it was Jesus doing the miraculous, but it is the disciples who distribute. Jesus doesn’t just meet their need, He exceeds it with abundance. He does the same for us spiritually. If we spend time with Him we will be spiritually fed and there will be spiritual food left over for us to share with others
Come to Jesus, He will not send you away hungry. He will provide and you will be satisfied, in such a way as to be hungry for more of Him.
1 comment:
I HAVE USED THIS MANY TIMES. THE HUMBLE AND CONTRITE HEART. IT IS NOT ONLY POWERFUL, BUT IT IS VERY TRUE IN OUR LIVES. IT WORKS. THE MUCH MORE GRACE THING YOU HAVE HAMMERED IN A FEW OF YOUR SERMONS IS ALSO VERY POWERFUL. THESE THINGS ARE THE MEAT AND POTATOES OF THE CHRISTIAN WALK!
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