Daily Devotional: February 15th, 2020

Feeding the MAsses

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

John 6:1-14

Reflection

Jesus teaches us that no matter what the odds are, we can aim to feed everyone through the generosity of some. One of the key elements that we often overlook is that Jesus gave thanks before he started to feed the masses. Often we overlook this simple pause to thank the Lord for providing us with what we have, even if we think it’s not enough.

Prayer

Lord, Here me now. Thank you for all you have provided to me, to my family, my church, and my community. Your blessings are so bountiful even when we don’t see it how they can be sufficient. Teach me to be more faithful and trusting in what You have provided will be bountiful in it’s own way and that you will provide me with what I need. Thank You again for all you have provided, in Christ’s name I pray, Amen.