Saturday, September 24, 2016

September 25, 2016

"When his disciples thought this had gone on long enough—it was now quite late in the day—they interrupted: “We are a long way out in the country, and it’s very late. Pronounce a benediction and send these folks off so they can get some supper.” Mark 6:35-36

Every miracle begins with a problem. In this case the problem was several thousands of hungry people and no food in the house.

That's a problem!

Let me point out here that it doesn't take a leader to recognize problems. Any one can see a problem but it requires a leader to offer solutions.

The disciples recognized the magnitude of the problem and knew something had to be done. So they came to Jesus with some suggestions. 

Here were their suggestions:

1) Stop preaching

2) Send the crowd home

Let me ask you, "Do you think the Son of God Incarnate, the Almighty God in flesh Who was all-wise and all-knowing needed suggestions from these guys on how to resolve this problem?"

You're right!

And guess what? He doesn't need yours either!

As mentioned in previous posts, miracles happen when there is a great need AND when some person does a great deed. When God wants to do a miracle He always involves a person. In this instance the person was in the form of a young boy who had a meager lunch.

It was the boy being willing to surrender his lunch to Jesus that allowed Jesus to perform the miracle!

So Jesus required the surrender of the lunch and not the suggestions of the disciples!

Have you ever needed a miracle from God?

Did you ask God for a miracle?

When you asked Him did you offer some suggestions of how He should make it happen?

Maybe you weren't as rude and direct as the disciples were, but in your mind you had a plan of how God should use His power to provide your need.

In your prayers you envisioned the miracle unfolding the way you imagined. But it never happened as you imagined. In fact, it never happened at all! If it had happened you probably would have missed it because you had your mind set on your version.

One of the important but overlooked subplots of this story is this truth: for a miracle to happen God needs your surrender not your suggestions!

The miracle happened and the thousands were fed and twelve baskets full were left over! But it happened because of the boy's surrender to Jesus and not because of the disciples' suggestions to Him.

If you are in need of a miracle don't give God your suggestions give Him your surrender!