“But Jesus said, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ They said to Him, ‘We have only five loaves here and two fish.’ And He said, ‘Bring them here to Me.’” (Matthew 14:16-18, ESV)
Do you ever feel like you have nothing to give? Do you have people looking to you for what they need, but your own resources are spent?
Today I was reading through a familiar passage about the feeding of the 5,000, and God helped me to see it with new eyes. You see, I was familiar with the miracle itself, but not its context.
This story occurs at a time of grief for Jesus. He had just heard about the murder of John the Baptist—His forerunner, cousin, devoted follower, and friend. And, upon hearing this news, Jesus got in a boat and went to a remote place to be alone.
But the crowds followed Him there. Some followed out of curiosity. Many followed out of desperation and need. And in the midst of His own grief—spent as He was—Jesus looked out with compassion and met the needs of those who’d come for healing and help.
Jesus spent His entire day surrounded by people. Eventually, it was getting late, and the people were growing hungry. His disciples could do the math—they had no way of feeding all these people. Logically, it made the most sense for the people to go find their own food.
…But Jesus had different plans. He said, “You feed them.”
The disciples scratched their heads and took inventory of what they had again—the provisions hadn’t changed. They still had the 5 loaves and 2 fish they’d counted before.
Then Jesus said, “Bring them to Me.” What happened next was a miracle—5,000 men, plus women and children, fed and satisfied…with leftovers!
What does this story mean for you and me today? Perhaps you, too, are in a season of grief. Or maybe you just feel like you have nothing of any worth to offer God or anyone else. To you, my friend, Jesus says, “Bring it to Me.”
What’s the “it” that God is asking you to bring? Perhaps it’s nothing more than a pile of broken dreams and dashed hopes. No matter how insufficient what you have may seem—just bring it to Jesus. With His blessing, who knows how many lives will be touched!
Heavenly Father, what I have to offer seems so inconsequential, so not enough. Still I give it to You today, asking You to use it however You wish. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Embrace His Truth: Matthew 14:1-21
