Recently, I heard someone preach on John 6:1-13. This text is one of the feeding of the 5000 stories and a version of this story is found in all four gospels. I encourage you to read all four versions of this miracle and see what catches your eye. Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:12-17, and John 6:1-13. In this story, Jesus feeds at least 5000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish and when everyone had eaten there were leftovers.
My favorite line is found in Mark and Luke when Jesus says, “You give them something to eat.” Why is this my favorite line? Because I feel like a disciple of Jesus every time I read this. How in the world am I going to do this? Is Jesus kidding? And we know how the story ends. Jesus takes what is there and prays over it and there is more than enough.
This simple story inspires me because when I stop saying to Jesus how in the world can I do this and stop to pray, it happens. Maybe not how I imagined and yet it happens. When I open my eyes there is more than enough. So look for miracles where we see only problems and obstacles and be open to the ways we can say yes when Jesus says-you give them something to eat.
