Give Them Something To Eat

“But Jesus said to the them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” – Mt 14:16
Isn’t this what Jesus is still saying to us as His church?
In the first century, the disciples physically wanted the crowds to leave. But spiritually, the religious culture wanted the tax collectors, prostitutes, and lepers to go away. They didn’t want to have anything to do with them. They just wanted them to disappear and take their kind and damaging influence with them.
Today, we are just like that. We pretend the XXXXXX aren’t there and that "those terrible people" (fill in your most prejudicing sin) by definition have no interest in Jesus or a redeemed life. We tell ourselves that there is no hope for that person and just pray that they go away and take their damaging influence with them.
No.
“You give them something to eat.” Christ wasn’t asking his disciples to feed this mob for life. Jesus was asking them to feed them right now.
Are we not called to the same? “They” are in need, hurting, thirsting, and starving. Give her, give him “something to eat” spiritually. Give her encouragement. Give him one of God’s promises. Comfort him. Pray for her. Love them all.
INSERT YOUR NAME, you give them something to eat.

---