But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. Matthew 14:16
When I was a youngster, I used to visit friends who made it a practice to watch the Billy Graham crusade programs on TV. I would be impressed with the wonderful singing, the huge crowds, the excellent messages, and the large response to the altar calls. But there was something that bothered me about the wrapup of those messages; Billy Graham would urge those who had responded to his messages to attend their own churches. He made no distinction as to what churches to attend. And there were people from every denomination there, including those that knew nothing about the truths of the new birth, believer’s baptism, and obedience to the word of God. No doubt many of those who responded were making false professions. But of those who were truly saved, they were being sent away to places of spiritual starvation. This flies in the face of Jesus’ admonition, they need not depart.
In His great commission to His disciples, the Lord Jesus told them to preach the Gospel, and to teach the converts (Matthew 28:19-20). God’s purpose was never to have us preach the Gospel and then abandon those who believe to their own devices. A major responsibility of Gospel work is to make sure those who are saved are taught the truths of the Word of God, and are given proper instruction. They need practical guidance in everyday living as Christians, in the truths of baptism and submission to the lordship of Christ, in the truths of gathering with other Christians according to New Testament principles. If we fail to do so, we would be like the disciples who wanted the Lord Jesus to dismiss the multitude so people could find their own food. But the Lord Jesus reminded them, and us, that it was their responsibility to feed them.
The disciples, as you will recall, were puzzled, were wondering how their tiny bit of food could meet such a huge need. We might be puzzled, too, when we see the need of young Christians and realize how little we have to offer them. But the Lord reminds us not to send them away, and to feed them. Our responsibility is not to measure the need or to measure our ability to meet it. Our responsibility is to not send them away, and to feed them. He will look after meeting the need when we have given what we have. And, just as He did with the thousands in the desert, the Lord Jesus will meet the need. It is not our supply He needs, it is our obedience.
We should never turn anyone away from the truth of the Word of God. If we share what God has given us, the Lord Himself will use what we share to meet all the need that arises. -Jim MacIntosh