Jump Start # 3636

Luke 9:17 Ands they all ate and were satisfied; and that which was left over to them of the broken pieces was picked up, twelve baskets full.”

Our verse today comes from the miraculous feeding of the 5,000. It is the only miracle, aside from the events at Calvary and resurrection of Jesus, that is found in all four Gospels. That’s fascinating. It was a miracle that involved the most people. Many miracles were upon one person and everyone else watched. In this miracle, everyone participated. They all ate the multiplied food. Matthew tells us that the men numbered 5,000. Count women and kids, and easily could have been 10,000-20,000 people there. The multiplied food, as Mark states it, was distributed by the apostles. That would take some time to feed that many people. Back and forth, the apostles must have ran to get more food and then hand it out to the crowds.

I used this story recently in a class on grace and forgiveness.

• Many of Jesus’ miracles involved emergencies that were life and death situation. A violent storm. A twelve-year-old girl that was dying. But this miracle wasn’t like that.
• This miracle did not fall into the realm of the impossibility. Sure, multiplying food is, but taking care of hunger is not. Cripples walking, demons fleeing, lepers cleansed were all impossibles. No one else could deal with those things. The crowd could have gone home hungry and then eaten.
• This miracle did not involve life changing events. The blind seeing was life changing. Lepers cleansed was life changing. This crowd of hungry people would be hungry again the next day.

From this, there are a handful of take-a-ways about grace (favor) that we learn:

First, grace doesn’t always involve spiritual things. It didn’t here. Jesus had compassion and favor upon the people and provided physical food. Favors are like that.

Second, Grace doesn’t always involve big things. It can be common things, even little things. Providing something to eat is not on the scale of raising the dead or walking on water. Opening the door for someone. Allowing someone to go first. Being kind and thankful. Everyday little drops of blessings can make a big impression upon a world that is selfish and always in a hurry. Put a smile on your face. Compliment. Be the reason others smile. Go out of your way and do the unexpected.

Third, Grace can be for just a moment in time. It’s favor for now, but it doesn’t have to endure to be worthwhile. Jesus fed them. They ate. Their bellies were full for the moment. Jesus didn’t take away hunger. He fed them one meal. The next day, they all would be hungry again. Grace doesn’t have to endure to be helpful and useful. In the moment, kindness extended. In the moment, you helped out.

Fourth, Grace can involve doing what others could do. Now, no one could multiple the food, but they could go to a store or go home and find something to eat. The request of the disciples at this event was to send the people home. That was possible. No one was going to die of starvation. How many times do the kids in the back seat of the car, cry and scream as if they are on their last breath, but somehow they can make it home and be given something to eat.

A person doesn’t have to be in dire circumstances in order for grace to be given to them. They do not have to be out of all options before you can step in. Jesus fed the people. That helped for the moment. What they didn’t realize was that Jesus was willing to give them eternal grace that would save their souls. He didn’t come down to earth to fill bellies or obliterate starvation from the planet. He came to save souls. The crowd was interested in their bellies. Shallow and superficial are how many are. Even with that, Jesus cared and helped.

John six reminds us that the next day the people showed up again looking for more food. The only food Jesus would give was Himself. They didn’t want that. They left. They went in search for something that would satisfy their bellies while their souls remained empty.

And, through this simple lesson left in our Bibles, we learn that we can extend grace and favor to others.

Roger