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
Yesterday we read this lesson as if we were among the people who needed to be fed. Today, read this lesson as if we are the disciples. Even before being asked to do anything, the disciples offered up an excuse of why they couldn’t help the people. “Send them away” they told Jesus. Even after they had gathered up some bread and a couple of fish, they dismissed the idea that this paltry offering would help. Rejecting all excuses, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people.
We who have been so richly fed by God’s own hand are to now serve those who have need. An hour to help someone, a $10.00 check to a charity, a smile to someone at the gym. By themselves, these gifts may seem almost meaningless. But when God’s blessing is added to all the gifts of all who believe in Christ, it will be said “and those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Prayer
Holy Lord, we give thanks that you have given us so many gifts, and we ask that you teach us to quickly share our gifts with the five thousand around us. Amen.