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
The television show "Survivor" seems to be everywhere in our world. We often operate with the idea that there is only so much of each needed resource on the island, such as money or food, and if we share what we have, we will be left wanting. The disciples feel much the same way; they urge Jesus to send the others away for supper because they could not possibly be fed with the meager five loaves and two fish contained in the disciples’ basket. God’s grace works nothing like this world around us, and Jesus will have none of this survivalist thinking. He blesses and breaks the loaves and sends his disciples out to feed the crowd, and a meager meal soon abundantly feeds the thousands gathered there. Through this miracle Jesus shows that indeed he is the bread of life who is nourishment for all.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, just as surely as we pray for daily bread, you provide. Out of your loving heart, provide daily bread for me and also provide daily bread for my brothers and sisters throughout the world. Amen.