Ten Things I Learned from Jesus Feeding the 5,000
With a few paltry fish and loaves of bread, Jesus fed a crowd of famished people, and with grace to spare. We, too, long to be fed.
10. The needy never ask at a good time (Jesus was trying to be alone for a while).
9. The needy always ask for more than you have.
8. Jesus asks only that I use what I have, and he’ll take care of the rest.
7. Even after a long day, Jesus has time to help.
6. Even when it would be reasonable, Jesus doesn’t send people away who want his help.
5. Sharing Jesus’ love with someone can mean filling any kind of need, not just a spiritual one.
4. Jesus uses people to help other people so that both are blessed. “You give them something to eat.”
3. Jesus gave thanks before the meal. Even someone who has everything can be thankful.
2. When I give what little I have away, it multiplies in return. With leftovers.
1. Jesus does miracles that look rather ordinary. Then and today.
PRAYER: Loving God, we give you thanks and praise that, through Jesus, you healed the sick and fed the hungry. With a few paltry fish and loaves of bread, you fed a crowd of famished people, and with grace to spare. We, too, long to be fed. We, too, clamor for your healing touch. We come to you in prayer now, pressing in on you from all sides, with our needs and desires — some trivial, some profound — and through it all, you love us. You are attentive to the deepest yearnings and the most hidden wounds of our hearts. Attend to us, once again, we pray.
We offer to you those who are sick and in need of your healing. We pray for the discouraged, the depressed and those in grief. Comfort them, heal them, and feed them the bread of life, sufficient for the journey. We pray for the wounds of the world. We are bold to pray for an end to war, a release to the captives and liberation for the oppressed.
O God, surely it was through your providence that, in the miraculous feeding of the thousands, there were twelve baskets of leftovers ... one for each disciple to take and share with others. In the same way, equip us as your disciples today. Give us the gifts of your grace that we need to be a healing presence for others. Multiply our efforts beyond our imagining. You have done so before; we pray you would do so again, here and now, among us. Ready us for service, in your holy name. Amen.
(Prayer from Homiletics July/August issue, p. 26, published by Communication Resources, Inc.)