When it Seems Impossible to Obey. (Luke 9: 10-17)
The Bible is full of decrees and commands, some of which prove challenging to obey. If one attempts earnestly follow them all, it becomes apparent that some are almost downright impossible to follow. For instance, the Bible instructs us to love everybody, yet certain individuals make it really hard to extend love towards them. Additionally, there are verses urging patience with all people; however, there are some people who test our patience.
Furthermore, there's the ultimate command to exercise self-control, a seemingly impossible task given that it involves controlling one's tongue, all the time. These commands in the Bible present difficulties and, for some, border on the impossible.
Life is full of challenging and occasionally insurmountable situations. One of the most common challenges revolves around relationships, and some force us to grapple with difficulty on various levels. Financial hardships and health issues also pose significant challenges, sometimes surpassing the knowledge and skills of even the most proficient doctors.
In light of these struggles, a crucial question arises: What does one do when faced with an utterly impossible situation? How does one navigate through these challenges? Life and the bible are laden with such situations, prompting an exploration into this very strategic passage of scripture designed to impart essential truths on these sorts of thiongs.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand.
10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him, and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing.
12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.)
But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
(Luke 9: 10-17)
This passage, holds paramount importance in the divine perspective on the matter of facing the seemingly impossible, making it one of the most crucial passages in all of the gospels.
So, picking up at Luke Chapter 9, specifically verse 10, we find the disciples returning from their preaching mission. They recount their experiences to Jesus, who, in response, seeks out a moment of solitude in a deserted place near the city called Bethesda. However, crowds of people discover his location, nut instead of shunning them, Jesus seizes the opportunity to speak about the Kingdom of God and provide healing to those in need.
As the day progresses, the disciples suggest sending the multitude away to the nearby towns for provisions. Jesus, unfazed, issues a staggering command: "You give them something to eat."
This sets the stage for an impossible situation, as the disciples are acutely aware of their limited resources—only five loaves and two fish. Yet, Jesus instructs them to have the crowd sit in groups, takes the meagre provisions, blesses them, and miraculously feeds the entire multitude.
This familiar story, found in all four gospels, carries immense importance, serving as a strategic lesson for the disciples and for anyone navigating seemingly impossible situations. The passage holds profound significance in the life of Christ and provides insights into facing challenges with faith and divine intervention.
Luke, in his narration, sets the stage by emphasizing the Lord’s and the disciples' need for seclusion in a deserted place after an intensive period of preaching and teaching.
This move is likely prompted by Jesus desiring private time with them. Taking a moment to rest and regroup, especially after their exertions, seems to be the purpose behind this retreat.
Notably, Matthew's account places this event around the time of John the Baptist's martyrdom. This observation aligns with indications in Scripture that Jesus began his ministry when John was imprisoned and withdrew from public ministry shortly after John's execution. This chronological context serves as a backdrop to the unfolding story, highlighting a shift in Jesus's focus toward ministering primarily to the disciples, preparing them for their future ministry after his departure.
The story begins with them seeking solitude in a deserted place, which, as mentioned earlier, doesn't remain deserted for long.
Verse 11 reveals that the multitude discovered their location and followed them. Despite the disciples' intention to have private time with Jesus, the crowd's pressing needs draw them closer. It becomes evident that the crowd's interest may have been more inclined towards witnessing more miracles and receiving healing rather than the message or truth Jesus wished to share with them.
In response to the crowds arrival, Jesus doesn't exhibit irritation but seizes the opportunity to address both their spiritual and physical needs. He engages in speaking about the Kingdom of God and provides healing to those in need.
This contrasts with the disciples' suggestion to send the crowd away, reflecting again a compassionate response from Jesus.
The mention of the day passing suggests that this interaction with the multitude continued for an extended period. Despite the weariness setting in, Jesus continues to work, teaching and healing. The disciples, aware of the growing logistical challenge with night approaching in a deserted place, suggest sending the multitude away to find provisions in nearby towns.
The predicament becomes apparent as the disciples acknowledge their limited resources; only five loaves and two fish, hardly sufficient to feed thousands.
The mention of dinner time heightens the urgency, emphasizing the physical needs of the weary crowd. This sets the stage for a seemingly impossible situation, laying the foundation for the miraculous events that follow in the narrative.
As the story unfolds, it seems the disciples, faced with the practical challenges of the evening, i.e. limited resources, a deserted place, and a growing crowd, engaged in what appears to be a committee meeting. They meticulously considered the facts at hand, acknowledging the lack of provisions, highlighted by the meagre offering of a young boy's lunch.
Despite their thorough analysis, their focus seemed to be on finding a way to dismiss the crowd, viewing them as an irritation and interruption to their private time with Jesus.
The plot then thickens as Jesus responds with a surprising statement, instructing them to feed the multitude. This directive is emphasized, underscoring the magnitude of the task presented to the disciples.
Jesus's command raises a profound question, one that resonates with the human experience: have you ever faced a situation where a command seems not only difficult but impossible to obey? The disciples find themselves in such a predicament, confronted with the challenge of feeding thousands with limited resources.
The relatability of this scenario is highlighted, prompting the audience to reflect on their own encounters with seemingly impossible situations—whether in relationships, finances, health, or other aspects of life. The story becomes a vehicle for exploring the common human experience of feeling incapable and overwhelmed in the face of daunting challenges.
The disciples openly admit their inadequacy, revealing they possess only five loaves and two fish. The practicality of the situation becomes apparent as they recognize the need for money to purchase food for the vast crowd. With the crowd potentially numbering up to 10,000 people, the financial burden is immense.
In an interesting aside, the speaker inserts a historical reference about George Whitfield, a preacher from the past, illustrating that addressing large crowds without modern amplification systems is indeed possible. This interjection adds a layer of credibility to the narrative, suggesting that the scale of the crowd is not beyond the realm of plausibility.
As the disciple’s grapple with the challenge at hand, Jesus takes a simple yet significant action—he blesses the meagre offering. Following a Jewish tradition, he expresses gratitude to the Lord before distributing the food. This basic point serves as a reminder of the importance of giving thanks in even the most elementary aspects of Christian practices.
The story of the miraculous feeding in Luke 9 not only illustrates the disciples' response to an impossible command but also reveals a profound lesson about trusting the Lord in overwhelming situations. As the narrative unfolds, the emphasis is placed on the disciples' inadequate resources, the meager offering of a young boy's lunch, and the subsequent challenge of feeding thousands in a deserted place.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable circumstances, Jesus issues a command to the disciples: "You give them something to eat." This directive underscores the theme of facing commands that appear beyond one's capacity. The disciples, confronted with the impracticality of such a task, openly admit their limitations, having only five loaves and two fish and lacking the financial means to provide for the vast crowd. (OHP)
The turning point occurs when Jesus blesses the meager offering and distributes it to the disciples, who, in turn, serve the multitude. Astonishingly, everyone eats and is satisfied, with twelve baskets of leftovers collected afterward. This surplus, as explained, serves as a memorial and a reminder for each apostle of the day they faced an impossible situation and, by trusting the Lord, witnessed His miraculous provision.
The narrator draws attention to the significance of everyone being filled and satisfied, emphasizing the abundance of God's provision even in the face of scarcity. The lesson becomes clear: Jesus gave a command beyond the disciples' ability, intending for them to trust Him to empower them to fulfill it. The disciples, however, seemingly missed the point despite having witnessed Jesus's miracles throughout the day.
The speaker relates this story to the common human experience of encountering overwhelming situations, be it in relationships, finances, health, or other aspects of life. The narrative becomes a conduit for reflection on how individuals respond when faced with what seems impossible. The lesson derived is that, in such moments, God desires trust—trusting Him to provide the power needed to navigate through seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Let me conclude by providing a step-by-step guide on what to do in overwhelming situations, and to do that may I directing you to Psalm 40.
I can tell you from personal experience I have found this passage a great help in bringing comfort and encouragement to both myself and other who have faced difficult situation, even for those facing a severe medical diagnosis.
This particular Psalm for me has becomes a source of solace and guidance in times of overwhelming circumstances, reinforcing the theme of trusting the Lord in the face of challenges.
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
4 Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.
(Psalm 40: 1-10)
So, the second step when facing an impossible situation is to recount the wonderful works of the Lord in your life. David acknowledges the countless blessings and interventions of God, emphasizing that they are too numerous to be counted. In doing so, he magnifies the greatness of God's faithfulness and the multitude of times when God has shown His mercy and grace.
Continuing in verse 6, David highlights another crucial aspect:
"Sacrifice and offering You did not desire;
My ears You have opened.
Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require."
Here, David recognizes that God desires a different kind of response than mere ritualistic sacrifices. Instead, God desires an open and obedient heart. The third step, therefore, when confronted with an overwhelming situation, is to surrender yourself completely to the will of God. Recognize that it's not about external rituals or religious acts, but about yielding your heart and will to Him.
The fourth step, found in verse 8, is expressed by David:
"I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart."
In this step, David expresses a joy in aligning himself with the will of God. When facing the impossible, finding joy in obedience and embracing God's Word wholeheartedly becomes essential. This joy in following God's will is a powerful antidote to the despair that overwhelming situations can bring.
Lastly, verse 10 reveals the fifth step:
"I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart;
I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation;
I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth
From the great assembly."
David's final step involves sharing the testimony of God's faithfulness with others. By openly declaring God's righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, lovingkindness, and truth, David spreads the message of hope and trust in the Lord.
In summary, when confronted with an impossible situation, remember these five steps from Psalm 40:
1. Praise God for past deliverances.
2. Recount the wonderful works of the Lord in your life.
3. Surrender yourself completely to God's will.
4. Find joy in doing God's will and embrace His Word.
5. Share the testimony of God's faithfulness with others.
By following these steps, individuals can navigate overwhelming situations with trust, hope, and reliance on the Lord.
So your present situation is more than the number of hairs on your head but what he's done for you is greater than the number of hairs on your head because they can't be counted get the picture so praise the Lord tell some other people and oh by the way you're still in the mess right alright let me take the third thing to do number one is praise God for past deliverance.
#2 is tell people you know I trusted the Lord of the past and he delivered me here's the third thing to do
3 be pleased or Lord to deliver me oh Lord make haste to help me Lord help and hurry that's what you do you say what I'm in a desperate straits and I need your help and if you don't mind send it special delivery hurry airmail as we used to say get in here quick many ends with this I implore and needy yet the Lord thinks upon me you are my help and my deliverer I love this last line do not delay Oh my God so praise the Lord for some past deliverance proclaim his goodness to other people and plead for the Lord to intervene in this situation right now in a hurry do those three things the next time you are confronted with an impossible situation by the way that assumes that you've trusted the Lord in a previous situation and he delivered you so if you haven't done that why not start but the present mess you was in so you can have a past experience in which you can trust them.