Devotion • June 13
Today’s Scripture Reading
Matthew 15:29–39
After Jesus had left that place, he passed along the Sea of Galilee, and he went up the mountain, where he sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the maimed, the blind, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them, so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all of them ate and were filled; and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan. (NRSV)
Reflection
Here we learn that Jesus fed 4,000 men and an untold number of women and children with seven loaves of bread “and a few small fish” that his disciples had. This crowd had followed Jesus for three days, along the Sea of Galilee and up the side of a mountain, witnessing Jesus’s miraculous healing of the sick, blind, deaf, and mute. They praised the God of Israel for delivering people from their ailments.
Jesus felt compassion for the multitude and didn’t want them to be hungry on their journey back home. The disciples either didn’t understand the depth of Jesus’ hospitality or lacked faith as they asked Jesus where they could get enough bread on the side of a mountain to feed such a large crowd. Little did they know, Jesus would perform yet another miracle for everyone to see. Jesus’ heart for the people and his actions illustrated the words of a gospel song; “You can’t beat God giving, no matter how you try.”
After days of walking and performing miracles, Jesus assessed the crowd’s needs, thanked Almighty God, broke the bread and fish, and directed the disciples to distribute the food to the crowd and collect the leftovers. The seven loaves and few fish that they started with yielded seven baskets of leftovers!
Whether we grapple with the literal words of the story or a broader meaning, we’re presented with an example of God’s unlimited compassion and resources. If we prayerfully muster compassion and faith, and marshal the resources that God generously provides, then all will “eat” and be satisfied.
Prayer
Dear God, we’re surrounded with a massive need for all good things in this world; please don’t let us “grow weary in well-doing.” Thanks for reminding us of your unlimited storehouses in heaven and your never-ending generosity and mercy. Amen.
Written by Jeanne Griffin, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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