This is the feeding of the 5,000. This text teaches us that the Lord will provide. Regardless of the rejection of Jesus at Nazareth, regardless of the rejection of John the Baptist and his execution, Jesus has compassion on His poor benighted people. One is reminded of Jesus' words from the cross, "Father, they know not what they do. Forgive them." We have nothing we can give to God. We have no resources and He doesn't need anything that we could supply. Jesus even gives us of Himself. Salvation is mercy all. And yet, He asks of us some little contribution. He gives us the priviledge of participating in the great day of salvation and the world-wide spread of the gospel. He asks us for our loaves and fishes. And with this little, He does much. What is impossible for us is possible with God. Those poor apostles needed to see that. They would go out with little or no earthly goods or worldly power. They would always remember this episode. Surely we hear this in the words of Peter: the lame man begged and Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, I will give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" We may not have silver or gold, but we have the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. |
