Thursday
So the people follow him and the first of our miracles for today happens – he heals many people, because “he had compassion on them.” Wow, he’s in the midst of his own grief and yet he sets that aside to continue his work. When we are hurting remember, Jesus understands our suffering too, and he has compassion on us. And so, the people follow Jesus without thinking about the more practical side of things – like oh…. Food! So the question comes up, how in the world are we going to feed 5,000 people. That is so many people I have a hard time wrapping my head around the situation and what the disciples must have been thinking. But Jesus merely tells the disciples “give them something to eat.”
That is when the blessing/miracle starts to happen. There is a sacrifice on our part, but then Jesus takes what little we have and multiplies it beyond our comprehension. Five loaves of bread and two fish is plenty to feed the crowd.
Also, don’t miss that Jesus prayed over this food. Are you praying over your meals? I like verse 20, “they all ate and were satisfied.” When we come to Jesus for anything, because he is compassionate, he will give us exactly what we need. Not too much, not too little – “satisfied”.
So the next story, is another famous story from the bible. Peter and Jesus walking on water.
Both stories are about faith. Faith that Jesus will provide our every need. He will give us the ability to do more than we ever thought we could do and when we fail, he will lift us up and we can try again.
But don’t miss the response that Peter and the rest of them had. They recognize just exactly who Jesus is. And they worshipped him.
Do you? Do you recognize who Jesus is? Do you worship him?
Shalom
Pastor Kathy