John 6:10-11 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.
What an amazing act of hospitality and generosity to feed approximately 15,000 people as much as they wanted. It is also a fitting picture of the incredible generosity and fullness Jesus offers to us. He is going to tell them that He is the living bread, of which the material bread is a type. We’ll talk more about that in the days to come, but today, let’s be encouraged that God offers us in Christ as much as we want of Him. He gives Himself, totally, fully.
In living to love with Jesus, we have everything we need to love for the glory of God. Jesus told His disciples they could ask with confidence for the grace to love and be fruitful for God’s glory. It’s recorded in John 14 and 15. Because Jesus had just commanded His disciples to love as He loves and believe He is God, I take the following verses to pray to be encouragements to pray for that grace to love and do what He commands. John 14:13-14. “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” Then again in John 15:7-8. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
He offers us as much of Himself as we want in order for us to be fruitful for God’s glory. We may have the same expectancy the crowd had on that day as they sat down to eat from His hand. They ate as much as they wanted, and so may we. So, today, I encourage you not to just taste of Jesus. Don’t just nibble on the food at the table. Eat your fill! Our Father is generous with His Son, and if He’s given us His Son, will He withhold anything from us? I close with Romans 8:32. “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” We live to love with Jesus out of His fullness. Thank you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for your generosity to us and the promise we have of grace when we need it.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.