Readings for the Day:
Sermon:
Go to iTunes or SoundCloud for Audio Podcast
Original Manuscript:
Anxiousness seems to be a common trait of human beings. We stress about accomplishing this or that task, we fear what will happen if we fail, or we worry about not being ‘proper’ in our interactions with others.
Our reading today, interestingly enough, is the second time Jesus has fed a large crowd in Matthew. Just a chapter ago, the Disciples come to Jesus and tell him to let the crowd go because it’s late and they, the crowd, need to find something to eat. Jesus essentially says, “Nonsense! You will give them something to eat.” Out of 5 loaves and 2 fish, there is miraculously enough to feed the entire crowd.
This time is a little different, and not just because of the difference in feeding 5,000 then vs. 4,000 now. In this feeding we hear of tonight, Jesus is the one to instigate the call for finding food. The crowd, this time, has been with Him for 3 days without eating, and Jesus doesn’t want them to grow faint. It’s almost as if Jesus knows their needs better than they do.
The Disciples still don’t get it. They still don’t know how they will get the food they need, even though they saw Jesus perform this miracle not long before. In fact, there are less people to feed this time, and there are now 7 loaves and a few small fish. Sure, there are fewer baskets left than before, but if Jesus could perform this miracle once with less food and more people, why couldn’t He do it again?
We are often like the Disciples, being so anxious about the little things that we forget about the bigger ones. Sure, food is important, but what’s more more important is our time with the Lord and building that relationship with Him. Jesus sees that, and He provided for the people’s needs so they could continue to be in communion with Him.
God will provide what we need, even when that seems unlikely or even impossible. God’s got the food covered, all we need to do is listen and become closer with Him.