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Full or Empty

Read Mark 8:1-13

When you read these thirteen verses, I hope you notice the contrast recorded about these two events. The multitudes came to Christ hungry and empty, and they went away full; but the Pharisees came asking, and He sent them away empty.

These events illustrate the principle stated in Luke 1:53 - He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. Had the Pharisees humbled themselves and admitted their poverty, Christ would have helped them. But they were too proud to bend, too proud to admit a need; and they went away paupers.

God is partial to paupers. Not the lazy and slothful, of course, but those who know their spiritual needs and admit them. Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Hannah sings in 1 Samuel 2:8 - He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill. Christ would have blessed the church at Laodicea, but the members didn’t know they had a need. Revelation 3:17 - Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

Never be ashamed to confess your need to God. If you come empty, you are sure to go away full if you allow Him to have His way.