The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Mark 8:1-9, “In those days, when there was again a large crowd and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them,
2 “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat.
3 “If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way; and some of them have come from a great distance.”
4 And His disciples answered Him, “Where will anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?”
5 And He was asking them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.”
6 Jesus directed the people to sit down on the ground; and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and distributed the food to His disciples, who served them to the people.
7 They also had a few small fish; and after He had blessed them, He ordered these to be served as well.
8 And they ate and were satisfied; and they picked up seven large baskets full of what was left over of the broken pieces.
9 About four thousand were there; and He sent them away.”

Were you ever with a group that was hungry, but together lacked sufficient funds for a meal? That’s precisely where Jesus and his disciples found themselves. The people were so gripped by Jesus’ message that they had gone without food for three days.

Jesus cited an additional problem: if the crowd were dismissed to go home, some, living a great distance, would simply lack the strength to reach home.

Jesus, of course, knew all along what He would do. At the same time, He posed the problem in the effort to provoke His disciples to think and ultimately depend upon Him. After all, the people had but seven small loaves of bread and a few fish.

The LORD then blessed the meager provisions and His disciples distributed them to the waiting congregation. And the Scripture says, “They ate and were satisfied…”

Are we aware that every provision of food we have comes from the hand of Almighty God? Our computer screens plead for money for food for the starving people in various nations of the world. Even in our own countries, there are people who lack funds for food– and for clothing? Are we thankful for what we have? Are we willing to share with them the Christ who is able to save?
Are we praying for those who need His provisions?

The greatest need in our world today is for those without Jesus to accept Him as their LORD and Savior. Once they belong to Him, He will meet the entirety of their needs, according to His will. Such is not to exclude our giving what we are able to give; it simply lays them before Christ Jesus, who can adequately meet all of what they need. In the meantime, we should pray for them all.
There are those who are praying for you right now!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom