Feeding A Crowd 9/25/2018

Good Morning,

My morning rise and shine time came before I wanted it to. I can hear my pot of Door County Heavenly Caramel Coffee brewing in the kitchen. But it's time to pray and then write.

Jesus performed many miracles and at one time or another they have all inspired me in one way or another. One of my favorites is when He fed the 5000.

Matthew 14:13-21 New King James Version (NKJV)

Feeding the Five Thousand

¹³ When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. ¹⁴ And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. ¹⁵ When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”
¹⁶ But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
¹⁷ And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
¹⁸ He said, “Bring them here to Me.” ¹⁹ Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. ²⁰ So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. ²¹ Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

One of the things often overlooked is that Scripture actually says Jesus fed 5000 men as well as women and children. Now only God knows the exact number of people fed, but in addition there were twelve baskets of left overs.

I would like to point out two lessons here.

1. Jesus saw hungry people who had followed Him and after a long day He fed these people. Yes He performed a miracle by increasing the supply. That in itself is amazing, but think about the distribution of the food. It took time to do. Then everyone had a meal and ate their fill. This took time. Then the leftovers had to be collected. Again this took time. All of this after a long day. Jesus served others by sharing His time and He was the Key Speaker of the day.
Lesson learned  Jesus Cares and some inconvenience doesn't stop Him. Is it ever too late at your house to feed someone in need?

2. Jesus expects us to do the same. He instructed the disciples to feed the multitudes. He provided the food, but He had the disciples distribute it and then collect the left overs. He inspires us to join Him in His work and He expects it. He gave the food to the disciples and they distributed it. Do you inspire others to serve? Do you serve with them?

Is God calling you to join Him in service to others?  He expects us to serve and it might not be convenient. What is your answer?

Food for thought.

Marty