Proper 13
August 3, 2008

Genesis 32:22-31; Psalm 17:1-7, 15; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:13-21 13

As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. 14 Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16 But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

17 “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

18 “Bring them here,” he said. 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. 21 About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

The gospel passages continue to pickup on the miracles of Jesus.  It appears that by now, Jesus has quite a following.  The crowds seem to follow Him everywhere He goes.  What’s more is that Jesus has compassion on them and begins to take care of their needs.  Not only that, but toward the end of the day, they are hungry and Jesus tells the disciples to feed the people.  The disciples said, “We don’t have enough resources.”

Jesus replied, “Bring the resources you have to me.”

What happens next is amazing.  Jesus blesses the resources that the disciples have and after all the people are fed (probably somewhere around 15,000 or more) there is a basket left for each of the disciples, twelve to be exact.

How is that like us?  It’s interesting to see that in this passage at least, that Jesus is taking care of needs and not preaching to the people.  I’m sure He ministered to the people as he took care of their needs, but there is no mention of preaching.  He had compassion on the crowds and healed them — that’s all we’re told.  Maybe that’s what we need to do more often — to minister to people by having compassion on them and meeting their needs.  It’s just a thought!

What I find second is that we don’t even realize that we have all the resources we need to take care of those who are needy.  The disciples didn’t — and many times we don’t.  The disciples were obedient in bringing their resources to Jesus — are we just as obedient?  What happens when we bring our meager resources that we don’t think amount to much to Jesus?  At least in this case, Jesus blessed them and there was more than enough to go around.

My challenge from all this is:

• Look around to the needy around you.  Ask God to give you a heart of compassion for them and minister to them.
• You resources might not look like you could do anything to help them.  Take them to Jesus — let Him take care of increasing the resources.  I believe that if our heart is where God wants it, he will help us with needs to minister to others needs.
• Pick up what is left — you will find that there is more than enough left for you.

Blessings….