Feeding the 5,000

a recent journal entry from reading in John 6:1-14

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Dear God,

Today as I read of your faithfulness feeding the 5,000 it reminds me that if I just follow You -You know my needs.

When I follow You - You will provide moments to sit, to rest, and to eat.

You will nourish me.

You know what I need, and aren't worried about how my needs will be met.

Let me also Lord have the faith of that boy-who gave you all He had and trusted you to do with it what only YOU could. Lord, multiply the gifts or resources You have given me and let them not be for me alone.

Also, God- I love that You provided a place for your people to gather. I can only imagine the grassy hillside scattered with little groups all along it. How beautiful that you constantly provided moments for followers of you to be in community with one another, the community that would soon be their source of strength to keep the faith when you would no longer be with them.

I wonder how their conversations were that day-Them talking with one another how you were different - how they finally felt hope and how they gave up everything to follow You. I am sure there were many that only came to see you for the miracles and wonders you performed, and eventually they grew bored and left you since all they desired for their life was to be entertained-not changed.

But as for the ones that truly drew near to you...I can only imagine the way their spirits were awaken in the presence of you. As if their dead hearts realized they were in the presence of the one who would change everything in their story. And that was their only hope-someone who would change everything. Among them were those grieving, those contemplating suicide, depressed, sinners, prodigals -- and they were all invited to a seat at your table. I imagine this is what heaven will be like.

That bread and fish that day were only a glimpse of the fullness of life you wanted to offer them, and that you offer to us.

How good you are God, to draw near to us in our brokenness and humanity and to provide greater depths of blessing than we could ever need or earn.

This great feast was a gathering unlike any other.

They broke bread while gathered on a hillside with their Savior

- the same Savior who in turn would break His body for them.