Feeding the multitude. Based on John 6:1-13.
By Eileen Neave Purkeypile, Director of Marketing & Development
Can you imagine being the boy with the 5 loaves and 2 fish?
It wasn’t the super organized mom who packs lots of snacks that saved the day. It wasn’t the wealthy businessman from the village that provided for everyone out of his abundance. It wasn’t even the disciple who should’ve planned the day’s itinerary better knowing how long-winded Jesus could be.
It was a young boy with a sharing spirit that made the impossible possible. A simple contribution, together with Jesus’ blessing, provided food to thousands.
The number of people facing hunger today doubled to 265 million in 2020 because of COVID-19. That’s millions of families without enough food and energy to work, go to school or simply live a normal life. Childhood, and their hope of adulthood, is at risk for millions of children because of hunger.
When the disciples came to Jesus asking him to fix the situation, He said, “You give them something to eat.” Jesus could’ve done it without anyone’s help, but He chose to seek the contribution of one person to feed the multitude.
I believe the same applies today. Jesus calls us to feed the hungry, and when we give what we have, He multiplies it. Not only that, He blesses us. Can you imagine the little boy’s reaction when he saw loaf after loaf come out of his small basket?
The Bible says, “One who is generous will be blessed, because he gives some of his food to the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)
Today, there is a much larger multitude facing hunger, and not just from missing a meal. Jesus looks to you and says, “You give them something to eat.”
