Session 7
The Shepherd and Provision
What Jesus did over two thousand years ago, is the key to provision today. Read the very interesting statement from God in Psalm 50:7-13. He has all the resources that we need as His followers, to do the work that He has called us to do. The Shepherd is talking about the resources of Heaven being released to enable the vision of Heaven to be accomplished.
Look at the first recorded miracle of provision in John 2:1 – 11.
The theologian Tom Wright says about this ‘Sign’ and provision miracle – “It is about transformation: The different dimension of reality that comes into being when Jesus is present and when, as Mary, His mother, tells the servants, people do whatever Jesus tells them”.
There is also a very human side to this story. Imagine the anguish on the faces of the parents at this wedding in Cana, doing their very best but struggling to provide as the party went on. In the turmoil, The Shepherd sees what is happening, and He provides the very thing that the family need.
There are four other significant miracles of provision found in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These are the ‘Feeding of the 5,000’, (Matthew 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44) ‘The Feeding of the 4,000, (Matthew 15:32-38; Mark 8:1-9) ‘The catch of fish’, (Luke 5:4-11) and ‘The further catch of fish’. (John 21:1-11.) Discuss each one in turn.
Look at the provision miracle recorded at the beginning of Luke 5. Simon Peter in his fishing boat, puts out into the lake a little way from land so that Jesus could teach the multitudes from the safety of the boat. Having finished His talk, Jesus then says to Simon Peter, “Put out into deep water, and let down your nets for a catch”. (Luke 5:4) (N I V) They had caught nothing. They were tired. What was the point in going back to fish? They hadn’t learnt in full that when The Shepherd speaks, He backs up what He says with everything He has at His disposal. All the resources of heaven are available to us today to enable us to fulfil the work that The Shepherd calls us to do.
Questions:
- How has all the training you have had together with your experience of life shown you that His provision is enough for every situation that you might find yourself in?
- What does your spirit do when you hear about supernatural miracles? Is this something that you yearn to see and experience in your own life?
- How would you like to see the resources of heaven released here on the earth?
The Shepherd Speaks 