Again, the issue of faith comes up again. Jesus wants to see faith before he acts in favor of people's needs. Ministers should take this element seriously. Are people coming to have their belly filled, or do they truly trust God? Resources in ministry are limited. We should consider resource allocation according to the faith we discern from people. Am I throwing pearls to the pigs in the ministry? Am I being a good steward?
Due to the mission that Jesus was to accomplish: salvation of humanity, he understood that too much fame early on in his ministry would be an obstacle. So he sternly requires them to be silent. It is hard to picture Jesus asking people to be quiet about something that transformed their lives! The fact that they couldn't keep it a secret despite Jesus' stern warnings speaks volumes of how life-changing it was. I don't have to force myself to be a witness. Jesus has done something life-changing for me and that should move me to speak.
Needs, faith, and witnessing - essential elements in ministry. I need to focus on the greatest need of people and not be distracted by the immediate needs. Immediate needs can swamp any ministry; any life. I need to nurture my personal faith and be discerning of faith in people's lives - even potential faith. I want to invest the resources God has given me in lives that will multiply the investment. Witnessing is the natural and inevitable result of seeing God meet my needs when I seek him with faith.
Father, I need you. Help me learn from your ministry. Keep me focused on the main thing: people's salvation; people's greatest need. Grow my faith as I seek you daily. Fuel my testimony as I perceive your work in my life and fire up my desire to tell others of your goodness.
