Satisfied

The disciples had traveled with Jesus and watched him teach and heal many people. Now it is their turn. “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them, ‘Take nothing for the journey – no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.’” Luke 9:1-5

It isn’t just a Jesus thing – to heal the sick and preach the kingdom of God. He gave power and authority to his disciples to do this as well. So they went and did as they were instructed. News about them traveled – even to Herod. He thought he had gotten rid of his competition for attention and honor by beheading John the Baptist. Did John come back to life? Did Elijah return? Were the prophets from long ago coming back to life? What was happening? Now, now only is Jesus walking around healing people and teaching them about the kingdom of God, but there are 12 more men out there doing this as well. They definitely have the attention of the people.

Jesus sent them out to preach the kingdom of God. Luke 9:2 And they went out and preached the gospel. Luke 9:6 I sometimes wonder what they actually preached. What did they say to people when they entered the towns? Sometimes we think that the kingdom of God and the gospel are two different things. Here they seem to be the same thing. I think that the gospel message is that the kingdom of God has come and is here now. Jesus is Lord in this kingdom. And he has a hands-on teaching style. There is lots of grace and mercy in this kingdom – both from our king and between our fellow citizens of this kingdom. This kingdom is not focused on accumulating wealth or controlling others. It is not worried about having enough of what is needed. There is peace and contentment and confidence that our king will provide. So it is easy to share. This king loves abundantly so the citizens of this kingdom are free to love others abundantly as well. There is much healing in this kingdom – both physical and spiritual.

When the disciples got back, Jesus took them to Bethsaida for a debriefing. But they had created such a stir that the crowds followed them. Jesus welcomed the crowds and continued to teach them about the kingdom of God. He did not miss an opportunity to share with them what God was doing and get them reconnected with their Maker.

It was getting late. They were in a remote area where there was no food or lodging available to the people. Now what? Jesus told the disciples to feed the crowd. They had just been out preaching and healing people. Yet they answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish – unless we go buy food for all this crowd.” Luke 9:13 Since the crowd was about 5,000 men not counting women and children, I think they might have been being facetious with the statement about buying food for them all. Or maybe they thought he would take an offering from the people. But Jesus patiently showed them how God multiplies what we give him.

“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.” Luke 9:16-17 They didn’t overlook the fish because it wasn’t steak. How many times do I look to heaven and say, “I’m not good enough or I don’t have enough – I need more,” instead of thanking him for what I have and using it to his honor and glory? They had only a small amount of simple food, yet when Jesus thanked God for it, everyone ate and everyone was satisfied.

In this kingdom of God, he takes what we offer to him and multiplies it to his honor and glory. And it is enough and everyone is satisfied. Quite possibly, the secret of contentment is knowing that God has enough and knowing that he loves me and my Father who has enough and loves me will take care of me – totally! I think I can live with that and be totally satisfied.

Who wouldn’t want to be part of a kingdom where everyone has enough and is satisfied? It makes me wonder what we are preaching. Are we preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God? Or are we so busy trying to build our own little kingdoms that we have forgotten to extend our Lord’s invitation to all to come, be filled and satisfied? There is enough for all in the kingdom of God!