SHARING OUR LUNCH

The gospels tell the story of Jesus feeding five thousand people with a little boy’s lunch of five loaves and two fish. After Jesus took the food and blessed it, He broke it and gave it away. All were fed with the boy’s lunch. There is always much left over, when our gifts are put into the hands of Jesus. I believe Jesus gave each apostle a basket full of the left over fragments of bread and fish to show them the power and pleasure of serving, loving and giving, with some left over.

After feeding the crowd they left by boat and crossed a lake and encountered rough weather and Jesus came walking to them on the water and said to them, ‘Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid’ ‘And He got in the boat with them and the wind stopped and they were greatly astonished,’ ‘For they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened’ (Or, their mind was closed, made dull, or insensible). They had not gained insight into the miracle of the loaves and fish because they had not given the incident its importance and understanding. They missed the principle of faith multiplying a little to make a lot. They were astonished at Him walking on water and calming a sea and Jesus was demonstrating to them that sharing one’s lunch is the same kind of miracle. We simply cannot be amazed and excited about this story if it has not caused us to share our lunch. If we do not, then ‘we have gained no insight from the incident of the loaves.’ Lord, help us to share our lunch with those who have none.

“Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” Jesus