Today's Passage - Matthew 15:32-39

Matthew 15:32-39   Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way." His disciples answer, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?" "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish." He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.   Many followed Jesus when He was on earth. Bible recorded that He once fed five thousands, and this time He fed four thousands. Many followed Him because His words had authority and His hands were full of miracles. Hungry people hoping to be fed, the sick hoping to be healed, and the broken hearted hoping to be comforted. Many followed Jesus in order to have own needs satisfy, not because they love Him. But Jesus did not reject them, instead He had compassion on them. Bible mentioned many times that the Lord had compassion on those that come to Him, for He knows theirs pains and sufferings. He came, so that we can be set free from all self-centeredness and sins. He gave Himself freely so that we could receive a new life from God.   If we are among the crowd that followed Jesus, will we be like them, only focus on foods and healings? Are we truly hungry for God, or do we just want our problems solved? Do we believe in the Lord or in a genie, expecting to be helped in times of need? If we follow the Lord based on our needs, then one day we might ditch Him based on our needs.   Maybe some of these fed by Jesus were also in the midst of the crowd who demanded Jesus to be crucified. They have once followed Jesus in order to be fed; now they crucified Jesus because they need to survive. Therefore we need to ask ourselves why are we following the Lord, and is He in control of our lives? The Lord has compassion on us, so much that He sacrificed everything for me, so may the Lord help us to love Him back without reserve.   Pray with Pastor Tong   Dear Lord, I thank you, for we are here because of Your mercy. May Your Spirit draw us closer to you so that we could set our eyes on You. May You be the Lord and King of our lives. May we belong to You and You alone so that Your will on us can be done.  I thank you and pray all these in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!          Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!