July 12

Luke 9:10-17 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, "Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place." But he said to them, "You give them something to eat." (9:11-13a)

Observation

Jesus' intention after the disciples came back from the mission trip, seems for them to have their own time of debriefing. However, when the crowds gathered around, Jesus ministered them--preaching and healing -- the very thing the disciples were engaged in during their missions trip. When the evening came, the disciples wanted 'to close the shop' -- no more, let them go home and eat and rest, we can open the shop to continue to minister to them thru preaching and healing when a new day comes. Feeding the crowds wasn't part of their ministry agenda.
However, in Jesus' dictionary, there is no such a thing. His life is to be available to all and anytime, for anything that arise in front of him. At least that's what He sees that we ought to do as His followers. Not to segregate our ministry and our life; but our life is a ministry that ought to be available and accessible to all anytime for any need.

Application

As I am doing this devotion on my way back from the mission field, the team is just talking about how we have witnessed God's powerful work in every corner -- His answers to prayer and His power at work in unbelievable way. And we all agreed that that's the same--that God is at work in the same way even back at home -- but we don't witness it as the way we have been in this trip, because we don't expect nor pay attention to His work there. We tend to compartmentalize when/how/what to minister within our control. I am learning that there ought to be no distinction.. The life is a ministry. Everything about the life--our daily life itself is the context of ministry -- being available for people regardless what their need might be. When we are willing, then, only then, we experience His miracle of feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish.

Prayer

Lord, I want to be fully available for You when/what/where/however.
Only then, I will experience Your miracles in unexpected places/ways.

--yanahn