Today, we read John’s version of the familiar story of the feeding of the multitude today found in all four of the Gospels. John writes:
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months” wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
Can you imagine being that little boy with the five barley loaves and the two fish? There he was salivating to take the first bite of his lunch when he saw Andrew walking up to him. The little boy didn’t say no; rather, he readily gave what he had to Andrew, Jesus’ disciple who lacked faith in what Jesus could do with the boy’s generous gift of his lunch. The story reminds us that God blesses and multiplies our giving from the heart. When we give to God freely, not being stingy realizing that all we have comes from Him in the first place, God’s takes that gift and multiplies it beyond our belief and expectations. Plenty will be left over, and no one will be left out when we give from the heart. Just ask the little boy who gave his five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus took his gift and fed a multitude with plenty left over for anyone who stopped by.
You and I have many opportunities to allow God to multiply our meager gifts. We can contribute to a local food pantry, a homeless shelter, a battered woman’s shelter, or even your home church. Take the time to see where you can give your five barley loaves and two fish, and once you give it away, see what Jesus does with it. You’ll be amazed!
After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “Six months” wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?” Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, “Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”
Can you imagine being that little boy with the five barley loaves and the two fish? There he was salivating to take the first bite of his lunch when he saw Andrew walking up to him. The little boy didn’t say no; rather, he readily gave what he had to Andrew, Jesus’ disciple who lacked faith in what Jesus could do with the boy’s generous gift of his lunch. The story reminds us that God blesses and multiplies our giving from the heart. When we give to God freely, not being stingy realizing that all we have comes from Him in the first place, God’s takes that gift and multiplies it beyond our belief and expectations. Plenty will be left over, and no one will be left out when we give from the heart. Just ask the little boy who gave his five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus took his gift and fed a multitude with plenty left over for anyone who stopped by.
You and I have many opportunities to allow God to multiply our meager gifts. We can contribute to a local food pantry, a homeless shelter, a battered woman’s shelter, or even your home church. Take the time to see where you can give your five barley loaves and two fish, and once you give it away, see what Jesus does with it. You’ll be amazed!
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