Suffering: Forgetfulness, Like The Jews in Exodus, Christ’s Disciples & Me!
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 14:19-21 (NIV)
“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 answered, “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.”....
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.
Matthew 15:32-35 (NIV)
As I’m now living in my senior years, I realize certain advantages:) Consider 2 ways I’ve gotten wiser:
Realizing what’s truly important, and…
Overlooking petty offenses.
But I've also discovered a challenge: forgetting things I used to remember:(
I like to think I didn't much need them: that God is trimming away lesser things. On the other hand, forgetfulness about the things of God is an invitation to suffering.
Reading the Bible, 2 questions loom large:
Why don’t we remember the works of God?
How can His miracles be forgotten?
Like His chosen people in Exodus, forgetting the parting of the Red Sea or the plagues they saw, but did not suffer.*
Or the eye-witness disciples of Christ forgetting He JUST fed the five thousand, when a time came to feed four thousand more.** And yet, He pardoned their forgetfulness.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ:
Your all-in, break-out roles in media are compelling reminders of Jesus! Through you, fans may meet Him for the first time, while others are forgetful believers, needing a prompt to recall their purpose!
As Christ’s culturally relevant stars, you’re in prime time to encourage both groups!
Because Jesus is radically new, the heroes who serve Him must BECOME NEWS!
Because the devil pumps forgetfulness, through make-believe stars in make-believe fun.
You have a mandate and Great Commission to represent the King on center stage.
So, 'Exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin' (Hebrews 3:13).
Suffering: Forgetfulness, Like The Jews in Exodus, Christ’s Disciples & Me! (Part 45)
* 'Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe' (Jude 1:5).
** Matthew 14:13-21 NIV - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand - When - Bible Gateway
** Matthew 15:29-39 NIV - Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand
NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God– to multiply them in the world for His glory.
P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY.
WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!