Luke 9:11-17 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. (12) And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. (13) But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. (14) For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. (15) And they did so, and made them all sit down. (16) Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. (17) And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
This is one of my favorite miracles that Jesus performed, but for an odd reason. First the context. Jesus’ ministry has gotten so popular by this time that he is able to attract huge crowds, So much so that we are told that over five thousand people has assembled to hear Jesus speak. After the crowd had been with him all day, the disciples recommend to Jesus that he dismiss them so they can go and get something to eat. Instead, Jesus tells his disciples to feed the crowd. Of course, they are stunned at that asking because they had only five loaves of bread and two fishes between them that they could offer. Because they can’t, Jesus takes matters into his own hands...sort of! He tells the disciples to make the people to sit down, he gave thanks for the small amount of food and then gives it to the disciples to pass out to the crowd.
So the important question is: Did Jesus perform a miracle? I think the answer is obvious. He fed 5,000+ people with enough food to feed only two people. There is no other possible explanation for this event. But here is the point and the reason this is my favorite miracle. Jesus NEVER touched the bread or fish! It was all done through the hands of the disciples. Did they DO anything miraculous? Absolutely not. They simply waited tables. But this miracle could never have been performed without the simple caring actions of the disciples.
I think God still works in similar ways today. I think God’s love is best demonstrated when we show it through our own caring actions. It does not take us signing over our entire paychecks or giving enough money to build a building. Just a cup of cold water. Just pat on the back. Just a simple hug. A simple, cheap card. But when we do, we can warm someone’s heart and show God’s love.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Reflecting the SON,
Dennis Hogan
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