Pastor’s Bible Reading Schedule:
Matthew 14; Mark 6; Luke 9
Saturday: John 6; Mark 7
Sunday: Matthew 15; John 7
Matthew 14:14-21
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
“They need not depart; give ye them to eat.” (vs. 16) I believe that hospitality is a lost art and a quickly fading priority. Having people into your home for a time of fellowship and friendship is done less and less. I am not sure all of the reasons, but I do know that in America it isn’t the way it used to be. I can remember my parents having people over after church almost every week. Or we would be going to someone’s house to eat and play games.
Is it the pace of life? Is it the growing social media and ability to stay connected with cell phones? Is it a disinterest in fellowship? Is it a change in our understanding of hospitality? Whatever the reason, God teaches us the priority of hospitality when he makes mention of it in scripture over and over. God designed the human being to need fellowship. One of the biggest voids during the shutdown was the lack of ability to get together with other people. Do you have a plan for regularly investing in others? The investment of time, money, energy, and input is worth every bit. Jesus was hospitable because He was moved with compassion for them. He saw their need and He desired to meet their needs. He did what He could be help ease their burden. Of course, Jesus was able to do what we could never do, but we can follow His example and do what we can. We can have compassion and act to meet the needs of those around us. We can build long lasting, meaningful relationships as we spend time with the people God places on our way!
Prayer Requests:
Personal
- Lord, please help me to be sensitive to see people on my way and never in my way.
- Lord, please help me to be filled with compassion for those who are in need.
- Lord, please help me to be careful to build strong relationships by spending time with those who are part of my life.
Political
- Representative Jim Ellison
- Representative Diana Farrington
- Representative Graham Filler