Do The Work!

But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.” Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them. So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke. [Acts 6.1-10]

I don't know where it came from, but the apostles felt they were 'above' feeding people. Let us consider what Jesus warned His men about:

Yet they [teachers of religious law] shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public. Because of this, they will be severely punished.” [Luke 20.47]

Isn't it interesting that the apostles claimed they needed to spend their time in prayer and teaching instead of 'feeding'? I guess they didn't have time to wash anyone's feet either.

And, besides that, two of Jesus outstanding miracles were miraculously feeding thousands of people at a time.

The apostles missed the perfect opportunity to do as Jesus did and perform a miraculous feeding of people. But they didn't. Instead, they 'organized'. (I think they got proud and arrogant)

Here is another fact that is usually overlooked: Stephen was one of the men chosen as a "feeder." He "performed amazing miracles and signs." But it is also important to note (and note well) that Stephen was doing some teaching as well!

What?

Yes, Stephen was doing the work of Jesus that the apostles didn't seem to be able to do!

I am just saying... we need to pay attention to this! No one is exempt from doing EVERYTHING Jesus did (and said we would do!).

Disciples of Jesus are to make more disciples. Jesus did it all and every disciple of Jesus is to do it all.

It is pure pride and arrogance for any person to think they are above doing any and everything Jesus did!

We don't need delegates! We need disciples!

Father, thank You for revealing to me that I am not 'above' anything that Jesus did.