The story of Jesus’ compassion shown in the Gospel of John about feeding the five thousand with a little boys lunch, paints a vivid picture of God taking the little we have to offer so people can see him through us.
Jesus had taken the disciples to a place where he could minister and teach to them. With the Passover feast nearing, Jesus was well into the second year of his earthly ministry. He had done many great works and miracles, so a sizable crowd followed. Jesus saw the multitude and had compassion on their physical need as well as spiritual need.
With all the hate, finger pointing and other unsavory issues of today this is a well timed example of how we, as Christians, need to let our little light shine so to speak. Jesus already has a plan. We need to remember this as well. No matter the circumstance, Jesus has a plan and the only action on our part is to give him our little brown bag lunch. Jesus can make something out of our nothing.
After a long period of teaching and healing, Jesus saw the need to provide a meal. This was soon to become a time of testing and teaching for the Disciples. Jesus asked Philip where could we buy bread to feed so many? As we often do, Philip responded in physical worldly terms. Two hundred pennyworth of bread would nowhere feed this crowd. We tell the story of the feeding of five thousand, when that count was only including the men adding women and children we are looking at fifteen thousand plus.
Andrew, Peter’s brother, tells Jesus there is a little boy with a small lunch of five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many? This happened around the month of April, so the fields were lush with grass. Jesus gave instruction to have them sit in an orderly fashion. Jesus then took the loaves and gave thanks for them and gave them to the disciples to hand out. He then did the same with the fish.
We don’t know how the miracle was carried out, but we do know everyone was full. He then instructed that the leftover be gathered and they picked up twelve baskets. This is a representation of the Gospel and it should never be wasted. We must daily present the Gospel. It doesn’t matter if it’s in word or by people being able to see Christ through you.
I once heard God does not need your ability so much as he needs your availability. He can do great things with the little things we offer, if we just give it all to him.
I have to admit I stole the “Giving God your Lunch” from a minister who was born with Cerebral Palsy. If any man had a reason not to be used of God it was him. I heard his testimony and it was a very humbling experience. At the end of his testimony he addressed the congregation, “ My excuse for not serving God was Cerebral Palsy. What’s your excuse?”
You talk about something that made me feel small and ashamed, that statement had an affect on me that has never left. Our busy lives, our careers, even our families are mere excuses for not allowing God to use us.
Be careful what you ask for from God. Tell him you would if you had time and he can fix that and you can find yourself in a place where God is all you have. And really that’s all we need. Just give God your lunch.
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