Go and See

Mark 6:30-44

Have you ever had a dinner party planned for 8 - and 50 people show up?  Neither have I......thank goodness!  I've had times where I've had to make small adjustments, like adding another plate or two, but I've never been faced with a huge crowd showing up when I had a roast in the oven for just a few.

But look at how Jesus handled a hungry crowd.  His disciples wanted him to tell them to go home.  It had been a long day, and they were tired - and hungry.  So was the crowd.  Jesus' attitude was quite different from his impatient disciples:  he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (v. 34).  So he simply told the disciples, "You give them something to eat. (v. 37)"


What?  You expect us to feed over 5,000 people?  With the meager food we have - namely, five loaves and two fishes ?  Jesus, what are you thinking? 

Jesus blesses the food, and - there is really no way around it - the bread and the fish miraculously multiply to feed the huge crowd.  With leftovers!

How often do we tell Jesus that we can't do what he's asked us to do?  That it flies in the face of all that is reasonable?  That we're tired?  We're ready to go home and take care of our needs first?

I'm helping out with my 3 and 4-year-old grandsons this week while their mommy is out of town, and I am struck by how completely and totally they trust their parents to keep them safe and happy.  They don't doubt that there will be food to eat and a warm bed to sleep in, and they will be cared for with love and affection.  That's how Jesus wants us to trust him.  He can feed the 5,000 hungry people gathered on the hillside.  He can take care of us.  When he says "Go and see" we need to do just that.  We bring him our meager loaves and fishes - yes, we bring him our life, warts and all - and we trust him to make us a blessing to others.

Lord, my faith is so small.  And my needs are so great.  Help me to Go and See and rejoice in your good gifts.