Miracles can Happen

8th Sunday after Pentecost

Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them - John 6:11

In this time after Pentecost, we stop to observe how Jesus portrays himself to others. Today he is still working with the massive crowds who are pulling at him for attention and healing.

Then he discovers that the people following him won't have enough to eat. He initiates a miracle by asking Philip how they will be able to find food enough for the huge crowd.

His disciples are skeptical. Philip says that six months' wages wouldn't be enough to give each person in the crowd even a small piece of bread. Andrew speaks up, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish" (John 6:9). And the disciples question him. How in the world would that be enough for everyone?

Jesus, with confidence in his power, and compassion in his heart, directs his disciples to have everyone sit down. He takes the loaves and fish and give thanks to God. Then he distributes the food to the approximately 5,000 people.

So as not to waste anything, he has the disciples pick up all the leftover morsels. It reminds us of how the Israelites in the wilderness were urged to take only the amount of manna that they needed, and waste nothing. This was a miracle by Jesus.

Is it possible we can cooperate with his power by creating miracles here in our world? Might we give our best to food shelves or the World Hunger Appeal? Is there a crowd of weary people, hoping we understand and care enough to share our food with them? Can we hear their pleas in our imagination?

We might be skeptical that the deed can be done. We might also stand back and wait for someone else to lead the way. Or, we can be followers of Jesus, who use his power to give life to others by feeding them.

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