2ND WEEK OF EASTER

A large crowd followed him.

Who wouldn’t follow Jesus? He turned water into wine, healed the sick, and overturned tables in the Temple. He brought some excitement—and perhaps a bit of hope—into people’s lives. And so a young boy joined the crowd in following Jesus around the Sea of Galilee and up a mountainside. Perhaps he was hoping to see more miracles. But Jesus had something even greater in mind. He wanted to feed the people—to satisfy both their physical hunger and their spiritual hunger.

When that boy followed Jesus up the mountain, he probably didn’t recall how Moses went up on Mount Sinai to meet with God. And he probably never anticipated his lunch becoming like manna for the people. He may have had more practical concerns. His two fish and five barley loaves, the bread of the poor, were more than he could eat on his own. Maybe he was carrying his family’s provisions. Or maybe he intended to sell the food to earn some money.

Imagine how surprised the boy must have felt when Andrew brought him to Jesus. What an honor! But when Andrew suggested taking his lunch to feed the crowds, the boy faced a moment of decision. Could he relinquish his food? What would his parents say? He had no idea what Jesus would do, but he gave them to him anyway.

Jesus, for his part, took the small offering from the boy, gave thanks—and multiplied it!

Today, Jesus looks down on all the billions of people on the earth, and he sees each one. He sees every child hungering for bread and every person hungering for him, the Bread of Life. And he sees you. His eyes are welcoming, his arms are outstretched. He invites you to offer what you have so that you can feed his people. You may feel that you don’t have enough to be useful. You may feel that you are unqualified to help. But Jesus is pleased to receive and bless what you offer to him. Come closer; come out of the crowd. Give him your heart and your gifts.

“Here I am, Lord. Use me to build your kingdom today.”

Acts 5:34-42
Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14
John 6:1-15

WORD AMONG US