Methods have changed
over the years, but the message has hopefully remained the same. We want to
introduce children to God, the Bible, and Jesus. We use many creative ways in
doing so. Somewhere during all the crafts, games, songs, and skits, the great stories
of the Bible are told. I dare say that is where most people receive their basic
theology. Songs tell us about Jesus’ love, letting our little lights shine, and
of course the B-I-B-L-E song creates lasting impressions for all of us. Many
start their Christian walks by making decisions to follow Christ during these
types of events.
A problem develops as we
grow older, when our faith and Bible knowledge stays “childlike”. The stories
we heard about Noah and the Ark, Jonah and the whale, baby Moses, and Jesus’
miracles are wonderful, but as we mature as believers our understanding of
God’s Word must grow too. A deeper understanding of the Word of God can only
occur if we spend time hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating
on it. The account of Jesus feeding over 5,000 people is one of these stories.
We learn as children about Jesus’ love, using a little boy’s lunch, and the
great miracle that followed. By digging deeper into this passage we can learn
Biblical truths that give us direction, and help us grow in Christ.
We can learn lessons in
giving, receiving, and blessings when we are doing God’s work. First we must be
willing to give wholeheartedly to the work of the Lord. The boy
in this story gave all he had to Jesus. In his eyes and those around him it
sure didn’t seem like much, but because of his faithfulness, and belief that
Christ can truly do all things, something unexpected was about to occur. In our
lives, we may feel that what we have to give isn’t much, but when we give it
all to Him, heaven rejoices. What in your life have you not turned over to the
Lord for His kingdom’s work? He is waiting for you.
The Lord will receive
from us what is given to do His work. If you notice, Jesus didn’t go looking
for food, but accepted what was offered to Him. God is funny like that. He told
a group of church people one time that after a poor widow gave a couple of coins
in the collection plate that she was the greatest giver. Why? Because she gave
all she had. Jesus wants us to give our gifts of service, money, talents,
and resources to do His work. When we have that same giving heart as the widow,
God will accept it, multiply it, and allow us have it back to use it in ways we
can never imagine.
It says that Jesus took
the fish and loaves and blessed them, and then He gave it back to them. The
disciples distributed the food, everyone ate all they could, and there were 12
baskets of leftovers! When Jesus blesses what we have entrusted to Him, it will
come back to us many times over. Just think about what God can do with your
offering. Probably something we could never expect, but will be amazed at what
He can do through willing followers. Are you ready to accept Jesus’ blessing?
Let’s follow His plan, church! It will be the greatest adventure we have ever
been on. Amen?
