Luke 9:10–17  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, 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. 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.” 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.” (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 everybody sat down. 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 set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

When I read the accounts of the feeding of the 5000, a lot of thoughts come to mind. What I want you to consider with me today is the attitude of the disciples. This passage begins with the words, “When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done.” At the beginning of this chapter we find these words:

Luke 9:1–2 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

And that is what they did. They took the power and authority of Jesus with them and preached the Good News and healed sick people. That is what they reported back to Jesus. Let that sink in for a minute. They had healed sick people with the power and authority Jesus gave them.

Now, after having done that, they were facing a large crowd of hungry people, and they wanted to send them away. But Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” And what was their response? “We can’t do that!”

Do you see the problem? They were relying on their own abilities to solve problems. They seem to have already forgotten what they had just done with the power and authority Jesus gave to them. Instead of trusting in Jesus, they were trusting in their own abilities.

It is a good thing we don’t do that, right?

How many times have you been asked to do something for God’s kingdom, whether it be serving in your congregation or working on a service project or simply sharing the hope that is in you, and your initial reaction is “I can’t do that!” Who are you trusting when you give that response?

Remember the one who is with you. The one who died to pay for your sins and conquered death for you is the one who gives you the calling and power and authority to do what He asks of you.

Lord, shape my attitude by reminding me that You are always with me. You give us Your Spirit to lead us to faith and keep us in the one true faith. That same Spirit empowers and enables us to be the people you would have us be. Help us to follow His promptings. Amen.