Multiplying Miracles

THIS WEEK’S GOSPEL: MATTHEW 14: 13-21 (MESSAGE)

When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick.

Toward evening the disciples approached him. "We're out in the country and it's getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper." But Jesus said, "There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper." "All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish," they said. Jesus said, "Bring them here." Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.

Have you ever just wanted (or needed) to get away? Have you heard bad news and needed time on your own to process it? Have you been so drained by the pace and demands of life that you needed a time out? If you have felt this way, were you able to get away from the news, demands, responsibilities, life and find the space you needed?

Jesus needed the time away from crowds and away from his disciples. But even Jesus’ best intentions were thwarted by the needs of so many. Instead of pitching a fit or flying off the handle, Jesus has compassion for the crowd and tries, even in his need, to meet their needs for connection, healing and wholeness. Then he feeds them.

When the demands of our lives are glaring at us like 5000 hungry people, when all we want is to get away from it all, this lesson reminds us of a foundational truth. In the midst of the craziness of our lives, God’s love and grace isn’t dependent on what we can do, how much we have or what we can give. Rather God’s love and grace is manifest in our lives by multiplying what we have, no matter how small. Will we let God use whatever meager offering we have to love others and care for the world?

Join us for our final worship service of July this Sunday, July 31 for fellowship on the front porch at 9:00am and worship at 9:30am. We hope you join us. See you in church.