Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus got the news, (John the Baptist’s death)he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully---someone saw him and word got around. Soon a lot of people from nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick. Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We’re out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get supper.” But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.” “All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said. Jesus said, “Bring them here.” Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the bread and the fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed. Matthew 14:13-21 (MSG)
Here Jesus seems to be attempting to teach us as he is doing, to show compassion and prioritize the needs of others. This reminds me of one of my favorite stories of when Jean, her husband and son went to McDonald’s one crisp winter morning for breakfast.
Jean sent her husband to a table to talk with their son while she ordered their breakfast. While in line she noticed a terrible smell and she saw people leaving. Jean then noticed two poor homeless men in front of her. As she looked down, a short gentleman was smiling at her. His beautiful blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, “Good day” as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. A second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. Jean then realized that the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
Jean held back the tears as she stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked what they wanted. He said, “Coffee is all Miss” because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up they had to buy something and they just wanted some warmth.) With tears in her eyes she reached out and hugged the two gentlemen and by that time all eyes in the restaurant were on her. She then asked the young lady behind the counter for her meal and then two extra breakfast meals on a separate tray. Jean then took the tray over to the two gentlemen. The blue eyed one looked up and said, “Thank you.” She leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, “I did not do this for you. God is working through me to give you hope.”
As Jean sat down at her table her husband smiled and said, “That is why God gave you to me, to give me hope and to show our son the way life should be lived.
Question for Reflection:
- How can I see the need and then show Christ’s compassion when it is needed?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Please help me to be able to see the needs of others and then to be a doer as shown to me by your Son Jesus. In Jesus name I pray this. Amen
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