Six months
after the lame man was healed quite a lot had ensued.
Jesus was
teaching everywhere surrounded by multitudes.
Herod
Antipas martyred the Baptist, the disciples had preached around;
He
desired a time for solitude away from the crowds and sound.
Jesus
crossed the Galilee Sea to a lonely remote location
To
prepare His disciples adequately for their soon-to-be vocation.
But even
there on the mountainside they saw a crowd drawing near.
Observing
the crowd He surmised, “We will need to
feed them here?
The
problem wasn’t too big for Him; a faith lesson He envisioned.
By
trusting God in trials grim, a believer receives his provision.
It was
clear the approaching crowd would number in the thousands;
There was
no town with ample stores for people to shop and browse in.
“How shall we buy them bread to
eat way out here in seclusion?”
The
Lord’s disciples could not think of a satisfactory solution.
I don’t
know if Jesus taught them first or if night shadows were falling,
But
whenever it was Jesus knew hunger pangs were calling.
Now
Andrew noted a young lad who had brought along his lunch,
But five
little loves and two smoked fish were not enough for this bunch.
Jesus
decided to use this time to teach them all about faith.
He had
the disciples divide into groups, each with a smaller space.
The
people sat down on the lush green grass and Jesus took the bread.
He held
it up before the Father, and this is what He said,
“Heavenly Father, omnipotent God,
we thank you for this food.
Multiply it sufficient for all and
your blessings please include.”
He broke
the bread and gave a portion, told them to do the same.
The
disciple broke and gave to others; the same-size portion remained.
They
continued with the two little fish; incredibly it happened again.
Breaking
the food, the portions remained the same as they had been.
After all
the people had eaten they gathered up what remained.
Then they
counted all they had served, a number to ascertain.
Astoundingly
they fed five thousand: man and woman and child;
And
twelve more baskets of leftover food were easily compiled.
The
people then remembered the words that Moses had predicted.
“This is the One that God will send to care
for the poor and afflicted.”
Their
appetite sated the people would rest, reluctant to leave that place,
But Jesus
had more to say and do before the cross He would face.
He sent
the disciples on the boat; He remained alone to pray
To
receive strength and grace from God as He communed each day.
We could
benefit from this example, living in constant communion;
Serving
in His power and love ‘til we ascend to that great reunion.
©
Copyright 2016 George M. Cuff, All Rights Reserved
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