To Whom Shall We Go?

But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” (Luke 9:13 ESV)

Like God tests us, Jesus tested His disciples. In Luke 9, we see one of His tests. In feeding the five thousand, the apostles came to Jesus and asked Him to send away the people so that they might find food and lodging in the nearby towns. Jesus placed a test before the twelve. Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” The apostles, initially perplexed at this statement by Jesus, could only see their meager resources of a few loaves of bread and two fish. How were they to feed five thousand people? But Jesus had a plan.

It was not the apostles who fed the people but Christ. Jesus was teaching the apostles that when they could not do something on their own, they were to rely on Him. This message is so important to us today. In challenging times, tests of faith are placed upon us. We, too, like the apostles, must remember that ALL things are possible through God. We cannot overcome these tests by our hands but through the intervention of Christ. Five loaves of bread and two small fish fed 5000; that was just the men counted. If we consider the women and children, the number of mouths fed would be even greater, highlighting the enormity of the miracle.

Similar accounts are found in Matthew and Mark. Jesus placed steep hills before the apostles, hills only Jesus could overcome for them. At the beginning of Luke 9, Jesus sends the apostles out to proclaim God's kingdom and heal. He tells them to take nothing. He strips them of worldly possessions, leaving them alone in their faith. The result is inspiring for the apostles, as they learn to rely on Christ and witness His miracles, strengthening their faith.

Stop relying on your hands and focus on the Lord’s. Do His work here in the world, which means living a life of faith, love, compassion, and service to others, and the blessings will fall in place, not because you did them but because you glorified God. Take no credit for your work and credit the one who gives you the ability.

After a service, someone once told me, “You are right, brother. Joe, all we need is Jesus.” I told this person that was not what I said, what I said was that Jesus is all we have. There is nothing more. Peter said this in John 6: “Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (6:68).

Remember, in times of doubt and challenge, rely on the Lord; all things are possible through Him. His guidance and strength are always there for you, just as He was for the apostles.

Grace and Peace!