Sharing Food and Testimonies
So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee. As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town. As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of Him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged Him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission. Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned. When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with Him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:26-39
…another large crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called His disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will faint along the way. For some of them have come a long distance.” His disciples replied, “How are we supposed to find enough food to feed them out here in the wilderness?” Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” “Seven loaves,” they replied. So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. Then He took the seven loaves, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to His disciples, who distributed the bread to the crowd. A few small fish were found, too, so Jesus also blessed these and told the disciples to distribute them. They ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. There were about 4,000 men in the crowd that day, and Jesus sent them home after they had eaten. Immediately after this, He got into a boat with His disciples… Mark 8:1-10
In the first passage, we read about the miraculous transformation of a man who was possessed by demons. Often called the demoniac, this man lived a tormented life in a hellish place until he encountered Jesus. Just by using His words, Jesus cast out the demons, bringing the man peace and a renewed sense of purpose. Then, in one of the more fascinating details of the story, the man begs to continue on with Jesus but Jesus says no and instead instructs him to return to his people and share the great things God had done for him. It seems the man would’ve benefited from some more time with Jesus. Nevertheless, Jesus tells the man to go tell his story.
Fast forward a year or so, where we see Jesus returning to the region. This time, a crowd of 4,000 people gathered to hear Him, be healed by Him, and witness His miraculous power for themselves. While the Gospel doesn't explicitly state it, we can infer that the healed demoniac's testimony played a significant role in drawing such a large crowd. His story of transformation was compelling, and it spread like wildfire, igniting curiosity and hope among the people.
At Kitchen One for One, we encounter many individuals who, like the demoniac, have faced unimaginable struggles. Many of them live tormented lives in hellish places. Their stories, though filled with pain, also hold the potential for profound transformation. As we serve meals, extend compassion, love people, we have the opportunity to witness and make it known that there’s a God who wants to meet them right where they are through Christ.
Jesus' concern for feeding the 4,000 is another crucial aspect of our mission here at Kitchen One for One. In the midst of healing us and teaching us a better way, Jesus recognizes our physical needs. Jesus didn't go around just preaching to people, He ensured they were taken care of… in this case, fed. This act of feeding was more than just providing sustenance. It was a demonstration of God's love and care for our lives.
Here’s two take-aways to consider for when you’re serving with Kitchen One for One:
Feed the hungry. Just as Jesus fed the 4,000, we are called to meet the physical needs of those we serve. Every meal we provide is an opportunity to show God's love in action. From what we know of Christ, it seems like He was always concerned that people were well fed!
Share your testimony (whether it’s with other volunteers or those we’re serving). The healed demoniac's story had a big impact on the regio he was from. Our testimonies have the power to inspire and transform as they open up pathways for the Lord to work. Don't underestimate the impact of sharing your journey of faith with others. One domino can set a lot of things in motion!
So, let's remember that our work at Kitchen One for One goes beyond filling empty stomachs. We’re feeding souls, offering hope, and sharing the transformative love of Jesus. Thank you for your dedication and compassion. We’re making a difference, one meal and one testimony at a time.
