Luke records in his gospel an event that is notably recorded in all four of the gospels, Jesus’ miraculous feeding of the five thousand (Luke 9:10-17; Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; John 6:1-14). This repetition recorded for us in the gospels adds weight to its significance in the life of Christ.
Earlier the Lord had “called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick…And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:1-2, 5). The Scriptures then record that “when they were returned…he [Jesus] took them, and went aside privately [by ship] into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida” (Luke 9:10). Mark’s gospel adds that they might “rest a while” (Mark 6:31).
While there is a need to rest in the course of ministry, it did not happen on this occasion. “And the people saw them departing, and many knew him [Jesus], and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things” (Mark 6:33-34). Rest gave way to opportunity.
Often the opportunity to serve or minister shows up on our doorstep quite uninvited interrupting our plans, obstructing our pursuits, and upsetting our schedule. Human nature being what it is, the disciples likely felt that true in their circumstances. Their “rest” was not just interrupted, but forfeited altogether. So “when the day was far spent, his disciples came to him, and said, this is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: send them away, that they may go into the country round about…and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat” (Mark 6:35-36).
Jesus had other plans. He said, “Give ye them to eat. And they said, we have no more but five loaves and two fishes…for all this people. For they were about five thousand men” (Luke 9:14). Matthew records that this was “beside women and children]” (Matthew 14:21). Opportunity to minister had now come face to face with outright insufficiency to do so. The Lord continued with his lesson.
Luke records that the Lord instructed his disciples to seat the people, and then “took the five loaves and the two fishes, and…blessed them, and brake and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled” (Luke 9:16).
The opportunity for ministry often comes when we least expect it and, perhaps, when we see ourselves as the least prepared for it. Ministry takes place when our opportunity converges with our availability because the Lord is not looking for our resources, but for our readiness. We find that when we are spent, he is evermore sufficient. Depending on our own resources forfeits many opportunities to be used by him.
From the Chaplain 