Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 14:13-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. Verse 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. Verse 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Verse 16Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." Verse 17They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." Verse 18And he said, "Bring them here to me." Verse 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Verse 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. Verse 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Devotion
The people kept following Jesus out of town even to a deserted place. They had heard about him and wanted to hear more. And yes, they wouldn’t mind seeing a miracle or two before the day was over. We are told there were well over five thousand people crowding around and jostling to get a good spot to see Jesus. And now the day was drawing to a close and the people were tired and hungry. And suddenly there was Jesus, who has compassion for the people, and now is holding some fishes and bread, blessing them, and then handing them out for all to be fed.
And so is the Christ always ready to provide for each of you any time, every time, everything that you need.
Prayer
Giving God, as you gave bread and fish to some in the wilderness, teach us to share our abundance as they did. Amen.