2020.10.16 Hopewell @Home ▫ Luke 9:12–17

Read Luke 9:12–17

Questions from the Scripture text: What time was it (Luke 9:12)? Who came to Jesus? What did they tell Him to do? Why? What does He tell them to do instead (Luke 9:13)? What challenge do they say is a problem with this? How many men were there (Luke 9:14a)? What does Jesus tell them to do? How do the disciples respond (Luke 9:15)? What four things does Jesus do to the loaves and fish in Luke 9:16? Who set them before the multitude? What do all do (Luke 9:17)? How much do they eat? What are taken up afterward?

When the Lord Jesus had sent His disciples to preach, He taught that they should live by the generosity of those to whom they ministered (Luke 9:2–5).  Now, He teaches them that they also should be generous to those to whom they minister.

This can be a difficult thing for all believers (not just pastors and elders), since around the world and throughout history so many of them have been poor. But, we learn that even when we have little, our Lord would have us to be generous with it. 

There are twelve of them (Luke 9:12), and they only have five loaves and two fish (Luke 9:13). But, it was not from ignorance of how much they had that the Lord Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat,” but rather to show that we should be hospitable without being grudging (cf. 1 Peter 4:9). 

Ultimately, blessing comes from heaven, just as Jesus demonstrated even by His looking up to heaven in Luke 9:16. And, His means of providing is often to pass it through one another’s hands so that while He is the One making the abundant provision, we have the privilege of participating by a generous spirit. 

He had the disciples sit the people down (Luke 9:14), so that they might be put in the place of leading the people to expect that they would be fed by Jesus. And, the Lord put the blessed and broken food into the disciples’ hands, so that they might be put in the place of generosity and distribution.

Christ is able to make a little bit abound. And, He gives us a sweet fellowship when He makes us to depend upon Him together in tight circumstances, and when He grants to us to be generous toward one another in tight circumstances.

It is then, also, that He glorifies Himself and His generosity and power and wisdom, when these are the means by which He is pleased to provide for us. Let us learn to desire to see this part of His glory, so that when we have little, we help one another to cheerfully hope in Christ. And, let us learn to be generous toward one another with what little we have, that Christ may be glorified for His rich abundance.

How have you been helping others to be thankfully expectant toward Jesus? How have you been exercising generosity and hospitality? How has Jesus abundantly provided for you?

Suggested songs: ARP112 “O Praise the Lord” or TPH112 “O Praise the LORD! That Man Is Blest”