May 26, 2008

INTO THY HANDS!

INTO THY HANDS!

Luke 23:44-46
"It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit My spirit." When He had said this, He breathed His last."

A young boy was setting out on a great adventure. People all around his area had been talking about a man who taught with great authority and performed many miracles. The name, Jesus, was on every tongue in the small village where he lived and now many were going to hear Him.

The lad's mother was not able to go along, but she prepared a small lunch for her son - five barley loaves and two small fish. It was not much, but she hoped it would suffice until he returned home that evening.

A huge throng of people were hurrying out to see Jesus, who had gone far out to a deserted area. They were all thrilled by the many miracles that Jesus performed and the words that He spoke. The hours fled swiftly by and stomachs began to grow with hunger.

The disciples of Jesus began to circulate through the crowd, looking for something. One of them, Andrew, stopped by the boy and asked him what he had in his bag? He merely nodded when the boy said it was his lunch and showed him his five rolls and two salted fish.

Jesus wanted to test His disciples, so He asked them where they could buy food for so such a large crowd? Philip had made a mental calculation and concluded that it would cost a great deal. In John 6:7 he answered the Lord; "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

The disciples reported that there was absolutely no food nearby, even if they had the money to buy it. It was then that Andrew reported his discovery. In John 6:8-9 we read, "Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 'Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?' "

I think you know the rest of the story. Jesus took the small lunch from the boy's hands, gave thanks to His Father in heaven for it and fed five thousand. Not only that - but there were twelve baskets full of "fish and chips" remaining. Imagine the mother's shock when her son returned with more food than he left with - and a full tummy to boot!

When the boy committed his food into the hands of the Master, he was a witness to the power of God to control his meager provisions. What was intended as a lunch for a small boy became a feast for thousands!

In today's Scripture from Luke 23, Jesus committed Himself into the hands of His Father. He who knew no sin became sin for us in order that we may receive the miracle of eternal life. By His yielding Himself, His death gave life to all who will come to Him in faith believing.

Our new life in Christ is no more merited by our actions than the boy's small lunch was sufficient to feed the crowd. Jesus is the One who does the miracles in our life. Our part is just to give ourselves into His hands. Never feel that it is not enough - He will multiply and bless!

Pastor Cecil Thompson

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