Feeding 5,000+

People had come from miles around to hear Him, to catch a glimpse of Him, to possibly even touch Him or have Him touch them or the sick loved one they brought. His students asked Him to dismiss the crowd, after all it was starting to get late in the day, time for supper. They thought they were being compassionate, thinking about the approaching darkness and how hungry they themselves were. The people needed ample time to get something to eat and then make their way home.

But then He said, "Why don't you guys give them something to eat?" One replied that they didn't have enough cash to feed them all...even what they did have in the company purse wouldn't be enough for everyone to even get a crumb of bread. Then one of them came to Him with a young boy and his food basket; 5 personal-sized loaves of barley bread and 2 small salted & cured lake carp. He smiled and prayed silently, "Father...this is more than enough for You to feed them."

Jesus took the small amount provided and fed 5,000+ people. We are told that there were 5,000 men, besides women and children, so at least 10,000 were present...and had their hunger assuaged. Amazing.
Amazing that Jesus told His students to feed them; amazing that Andrew had the nerve to bring a small lunch to Jesus thinking that He could do something with it; amazing that He did do something with it; amazing that we can participate in such a miracle today. With very little we can join others in providing food and clean water as well as the ultimate gift of salvation to people all over the world...even next door.

If we just move forward in faith, doing the right thing, God will bless it. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus gives us a mandate to feed, provide drink, clothing, and love through relationships to anyone in need and equates doing so as having done it to Him. How many of us would turn a blind eye to giving Jesus a cup of cool water or a sandwich or new shoes or holding His hand in the hospital or friendship while in prison?

Don't answer that with words...answer with action.