Where is the Answer?

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”     Matthew 14:16 (NIV)

This verse comes from Matthew’s account of the “feeding of the five thousand”.  There is a large crowd running after Jesus; chasing Him for … what He has.  They have followed Him miles from their home.  The disciples recognize that this crowd is tired and hungry and so their answer is to “send them away” so that they can scrounge for themselves and find what they need.  Every man, woman, and child for themselves!  But Jesus shows me His true nature.  Jesus has compassion.  Jesus shows His extravagant love.  Jesus has just been told of his cousin’s death.  John the Baptist has been murdered by Herod.  The Scripture says that Jesus was going to take some time in a “solitary place” to speak to the Father.  Refill Himself and yes, even mourn the loss of His cousin and fellow minister.    But the crowd had a need and they were turning to Jesus for the answer.

When I have a need, I do not have to go any where but where God is.  Where God is… that is where my answer lies.   If I have a situation that I do not know which way to turn – turn toward God.  Go in the direction that is His pleasure.  That would include waiting because sometimes I may be moving in front of God’s timing instead of walking with Him.

When someone comes to me, recognizing me as one of Jesus’ disciples, I am not to send them away to scrounge for themselves.  I am not their answer but I can give what I have – I can give them Jesus.  I can give what I have.  When Jesus is real in my life then He can use me as His hands to reach out to someone in need.  Jesus can use me as His feet to walk with them.  Jesus can use my heart to reflect His heart.

And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.      Matthew 14:19 (NIV)

Jesus took the tangible – five loaves and two fish – and LOOKED TO THE FATHER to make MORE than meets the eye!  God takes what I have and makes it MORE when I keep my eyes on Him and give HIM all the glory – all the credit for what will happen!  Jesus gives to me and freely I give it on to someone else!

What is my need today?  What are the needs in the lives of those I love?  Go to God!  Where He is – that is where my answer is.