Co-laborers with Christ

In Made Alive by the Word, we spoke of the nourishing aspect of The Word.  Specifically, how it nourishes and sustains our spiritual being (the inner man).  Again, The Word is received through intimate fellowship with Christ, in the secret place (prayer closet).  Christ modeled this intimate relationship with the father through-out his entire ministry. Seeking places of solitude, he was in continuous fellowship with the father.  

 

Likewise, he was also instructing and discipling his followers to establish the same “I in the Father, and the Father in me” (John 10:38 BSB) type of relationship.  

 

…And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.  (Mark 6:31 KJV)

 

In One thing is Needful, we identified the many daily “essential duties” that often tower over our quiet times with the Lord.  However, Mark formulates a grander implication.  Notice, the disciples in this scenario were engaged in ministering with Jesus to the crowds.  Yet Jesus demonstrates the significance of withdrawing into solitude, even over the work of the ministry.  

 

Further on… 

 

But many people saw them leaving and recognized them. They ran together on foot from all the towns and arrived before them...

 

So the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat. But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.”…

 

He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes…

 

And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. 

…They all ate and were satisfied… (Mark 6:35-42 KJV)

 

Once again Jesus and his disciples are surrounded with the masses.  The disciples are good students and catch on. They are conscious and aware of the pressing need of the crowd, which are hungry and must be fed.  You see, initially they withdrew to feed themselves.  Now Jesus asks them, what do you have left? Bring that little bit to me, and I will multiply it.  When a minister “communicates” The Word, initially received in private, Christ “breaks” (expounds) that word, specific to each individual’s need.  He is able to stretch it beyond our human resources and mental capacities.  

 

Christ always displayed this in action:

 

I do nothing on My own, but speak exactly what the Father has taught Me. (John 8:28 KJV)

 

You see, now, just as the disciples, we are made co-laborers with Christ in ministry.  And apart from him, we cannot be nearly, if at all, as effective.  

 

For we are co-workers in God's service… (1 Cor 3:9 NIV)

 

and…

 

Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it. (Mark 16:20 NIV)

 and...

 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (John 15:5 KJV)