Feeding of the 5000
Matthew 14:13-21
“You give them something to eat.” v.17
We often lift up Jesus’ commands to “go, and make disciples…baptize…teach…” or “Love God…Love neighbor…” Less often do we lift up Jesus’ simple command to his followers “You give them something to eat.”
People had come running to Jesus with no real thought to their own comfort or their own needs. Those around Jesus rightly diagnosed the situation and offered a solution. The people are hungry. Jesus should send them away so they could be fed. Instead Jesus gently commands “You give them something to eat.”
Pooling all their resources the disciples announced they had five loaves and two fish. Jesus blessed their offering and sent them into the crowd to feed the 5000 hungry people. We can see a miracle at work here. A small offering provides enough for everyone, and there are leftovers.
We can also see a greater miracle. These disciples trust Jesus and act on that trust. They go out into the crowd. They distribute what they have. They bring the leftovers back to Jesus.
The efforts of many different people and organizations means that the issue of hunger in our world has found relief. Together we have cut in half the percentage of the world’s population that is hungry and in poverty . Unfortunately, the growth in world population means that the number of people who are hungry remains the same. Jesus words still ring true for us, “You give them something to eat.”
PRAY: Loving God, you provided manna and meat in the wilderness, food for the hungry in the lonely hills of Galilee and provide us now with abundance of food to eat. Fill us with gratitude and concern for those who are hungry, for you live and reign now and always. Amen.
Fast: From self-satisfaction for the abundance in your life.
ACT: Bring the items you collected this week to worship.
...the least of these... 