June 2, 2023

Hello Advent Family,

Food has always been a great motivator.  I can be persuaded to do any number of difficult things for some good food.  Even better than working for food is when it is just there, freely offered.  Jesus does a lot of amazing miracles but it’s interesting  that when He feeds people that is when they try to make Him King by force.  Let’s  look at the feeding of the 5,000 found in John 6.

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?” 10 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). 11 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. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

It is very interesting to me to look at the miracles that Jesus performs.  We certainly don’t know all that He did, but the ones that He does perform are telling to us.  Jesus could have easily sent these people home for food or allowed them to experience a bit of hunger.  He decides that He wants to feed them.  There is something significant about someone providing food for you when you are hungry.  Later in this chapter He will talk about how He feeds our spiritual hunger and perhaps that is the whole point of this.  I think that He really just wanted to provide a meal for the people.  I’m sure they remembered this experience for the rest of their lives told their family and friends and I’m sure that many eventually became part of the early church and followers of Jesus.  Sharing a meal can have a powerful impact.  Think about who God may be calling you to share a meal with.  Perhaps there is an opportunity for you to share a meal with a friend or neighbor and share the love of Christ with them as well.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave


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