“That is all I can offer to Jesus. I can’t do very much. I’m not talented. I can’t sing. I can’t teach. I can’t preach. I can’t play any musical instrument. But I’m willing to do whatever I can, to support in the background.”
That is the critical issue. Discipleship does not mean having to be in the forefront or to do the work that is more visible or more audible. A faithful disciple can do a lot of good work for the Lord by his or her quiet efforts and contribution in the background. Often, such work though not seen is just as important as what is done upfront, as it speaks of sincerity, faithfulness and trust in the Lord.
The Bible tells us of one simple act of faith and trust of one young boy that has benefited thousands. The key to that is he offered it all to Jesus.
This story is recorded in John 6:1-13. Jesus had been teaching, and healing the sick near the Sea of Galilee. A huge crowd of thousands of people kept following him wherever he went.
It was also the time of the Passover celebration. It was just not right to send the people all away without giving them some food to eat.
The situation was overwhelming to the disciples. Their faith was severely tested. How were they to handle this huge crowd of thousands of hungry people who just wouldn’t go home? That was what Jesus had asked them, to test them.
Their responses were very telling and disappointing. Some said, let’s get rid of the problem – send the crowd away (Mark 6:35-36). Another said, we need to raise a small fortune in order to feed them. And even when a young boy stepped up bravely to offer his dinner of five barley loaves and two fish, which his mother had prepared for him, one disciple (Andrew) said: “But what good is that with this huge crowd?” He was saying it’s really so little, we don’t have enough!
But the young boy was willing to turn it over to Jesus! It may seem little to others, but it was his entire dinner. He simply gave all he had to Jesus.
It is not about the size of what he offered, or the impact of the effort in other people’s eyes. It is about his heart, his willingness to give it all to Jesus.
That was enough for our Lord Jesus to perform His miracle. Jesus took the little and turned it into a lot! Five thousand men (not counting the women and children) were fed to the full. And there were still twelve baskets full of leftovers!
The lesson for us here is to place our little in the Lord’s hands and He will multiply it. It’s for His glory. It’s not about us or about our much or little.
Just like the young boy, we need to do our part in love, sincerity, humility, faithfulness and trust. Our Lord Jesus will do the rest.
By Andrew Yap, Deacon (YCKC Bulletin 26&27 April 2014)