Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 14:13-21 on biblegateway.com
Verse 13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. Verse 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. Verse 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." Verse 16Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." Verse 17They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish." Verse 18And he said, "Bring them here to me." Verse 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Verse 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. Verse 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Devotion
We stood in a tiny clay church in the sun-baked plains near Same, Tanzania. It was Sunday afternoon. The old pastor walked with a hobbled gait but vitality still sparkled in his eyes. He explained that for five seasons there had been no maize crop. I was not surprised. To this Iowan, the fields looked about as fertile as a parking lot. Not accustomed to African civilities I blurted out, “How do you survive?” The wise pastor responded patiently and simply: “God is good.”
Jesus enters into partnership with someone willing to share a lunch; 5,000-plus empty bellies are filled, and the disciples have to figure out what to do with 12 baskets of leftovers. Jesus takes bread and wine; forgiveness and life flow out for all people. We blurt out, “How can this be?” The same simple answer is spoken quietly into our ears: “God is good.”
Prayer
God, give us humble hearts filled with gratitude. Let our voices join with the children as they pray,
God is great.
God is good.
And we thank God for our food. Amen.