Feeding the 5000 (Part 2)

Matthew 14:15-21

“15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.”

When the Israelites followed Moses into the wilderness, Moses was probably worried about how he and Aaron were going to feed a million people in a place where one person had trouble surviving.  We now know that Moses did not feed them, but God did.

In the same way, the job of feeding the 5000 in the wilderness was too large for the Disciples, so Jesus fed the crowd, and he fed them in abundance. The hunger of all who ate was satisfied and there were twelve baskets of food remaining.

Followers of Jesus may, at times, find themselves in the spiritual wilderness.  When this happens, remember that Jesus can give you the living water, and is himself the living bread of heaven

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6)

Satisfied in abundance.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)