(Matthew 14:15-21) When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17 They *said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.
The disciples never thought to ask Jesus what to do for the people. Their thinking was very practical, and in their minds they limited God's ability, because they were only considering what a person could do. Now, were they supposed to know how Jesus would solve the issue at hand? No. But they should have known that Jesus COULD somehow solve the issue at hand. Right after the (first) feeding of the masses, the disciples left the place to cross the sea...
(Matt.14:26-33) When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” 28 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
Again, the disciples' thinking limited God's ability. They saw someone walking on the stormy water. Their first thought was that it was a ghost. Not, we JUST saw Jesus multiply food for thousands of people - what is Jesus up to now???!!! After realizing that it was Jesus, Peter had the guts to think, hey, if my Master is able to do this, if it is His will, He will allow me to do the same. And - Peter was doing it! And then - doubt set in. At least Peter had the mind to ask Jesus to save him! Now, when they got to the other side of the sea, there were people there with faith that Jesus could heal them...
(Matthew 14:34-36) When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.
The people who thought - hey, Jesus can do anything, so even if I just touch the fringe of His cloak, I will be healed. Their thinking did not limit Jesus' ability.
Growing up, I attended a pretty awesome church that taught all the correct doctrines, and was not legalistic. I would say now that one of things they got wrong was how they limited God. Even though we were taught that God was able to do anything - God now limited His miracles... that certain spiritual gifts were only meant for back then - while Jesus was here on earth and for a short time afterward while the apostles were still alive. But certainly not now. Now I would say, where in the Bible does it say that? Where does it say that God will not do these things any more?
What would happen if we started to have faith that God can still do anything?
(Ephesians 3:14-21) For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen....
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