Read Mark 6:30-44
A huge crowd had gathered in a desolate
secluded place to hear Jesus. Jesus
taught them many things. Time quickly passed. It was probably rumbling stomachs
that reminded the disciples that it was late and no one had eaten. Jesus’ response to their prompting that it
was time to send the crowd on their way so they could find something to eat was
met with “You feed them.” Obviously,
they had neither food nor money to feed this crowd of over 5000. All they managed to scrounge up was a young
boy’s uneaten lunch of five rolls and two dried fish. Beginning with a boy giving his all to Jesus,
the miraculous happened.
Jesus broke the bread and fish into pieces and gave it the disciples to be shared. The miracle continued as each one in the crowd chose to participate in the sharing. Handed a piece, each person had to choose as to whether to keep it and make a dent in their own want or simply break off a mouthful and pass the rest on to another. A mouthful would not satisfy their hunger, but as they passed it on, another piece was handed to them. Piece by piece, a portion was broken off and eaten until everyone was full. After everyone had enough, the disciples walked among the throngs collecting twelve baskets of excess. Everyone was fed as mouthful by mouthful they participated in the miracle.
A group of shepherds were also asked
to participate in a miracle. Read Luke 2:8-20. The angel told them that he had
good news of great joy that was for everyone. It was being given to them for
distribution. They had to then choose
what they would do with it. They could
have kept it to themselves, but they chose to participate in the miracle by
sharing. They passed on the truth of Jesus’ birth to everyone they met. “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning
what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at
what the shepherds said to them.” (vs. 17,18) In turn, that person had
to choose whether or not to believe – take off his/her portion of truth and
pass it on to others.
In Luke 2:36-38, is the story of another
person who also chose to participate in the miracle by sharing. Anna had spent
a lifetime serving in the temple praying for others and her country. Observing
Jesus’ baby dedication, her prepared heart immediately recognized that this
infant was the promised Messiah. She
gratefully took her portion of truth and “continued to speak of Him to all
those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (v. 38)
Now it is our turn. This “good news of great joy” is for
everyone. Others have heard and chosen to share with us the good news about Jesus. By grace, we have been handed the Bread of
Life that has been broken and shared to satisfy the very hunger of our
souls (John 6:33-35). Now it is up to us to gratefully and joyfully share it
with others. We are extended an opportunity to participate in the miracle of
this life-giving Bread of Life and world-impacting Good News by passing it on
to those around us so they can pass it on to those who are beyond our reach,
until all us, like the shepherds can actively be “glorifying and praising God
for all that [we have] heard and seen.” (Luke 2:20)
Making It Personal
These miracles could not happen
without someone first giving his/her all. The little boy gave all he had to
eat. Jesus gave all He had and was. What
are you willing to give for the sake of God’s glory and bestowing of grace on
others?
How does knowing that what you give
may be the beginning of a miracle impact your willingness to want to give
it all?
Who has shared the Bread of Life and
the good news of great joy of a Savior with you?
Has it miraculously satisfied a
hunger in your life?
Have you kept that amazing news and
satisfying Bread to yourself?
How does the concept of
participating in a miracle motivate you to share what you’ve been given?
Who is the first person you would like
to hand your latest portion of soul-satisfying “bread”?
