Encounter: Feeding the 5,000

Scripture: Matthew 14:14-21 NLT

Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. “Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

Prayer:

Dear God,

This miracle of multiplication is well-known, but this encounter may be underappreciated. From almost nothing, you fed well over 5,000 hungry people until they were full and completely satisfied, and there were leftovers! The families on the receiving end of this miracle got to experience your abundant love and generous provision first-hand. What would their conversations have been like on the way home? When I am in a place of scarcity, remind me of how you meet my needs, with leftovers. And, Lord, give me the compassion to feed those around me who are hungry, both physically and spiritually, for your name’s sake.

Amen.

Read all of 40 Days of Prayer at easter.crossings.church.