Feeding 5,000 with compassion

We could look at the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000; ponder how Jesus managed to feed so many people with such a small amount of food. We could find a way to explain the feeding, such as the miracle of sharing. What if everyone had their own little packed lunch, but no-one was game to bring it out until they saw others doing the same? I sometimes wonder if getting people to share was a bigger miracle than food being multiplied.

But, I wonder what else we might see in this story?

.. Another food story in the Bible.

·         Manna and quail in the wilderness is the iconic feeding story

·         the widow of Zarephath whose flour and oil didn’t run out [1 Kings 17]

·         wedding at Cana

·         Jesus eating with Zacchaeus,

·         And many more

Eating, especially eating with others, occurs frequently in the Bible. Maybe because food and friendship, are vital for life, especially life with dignity.

.. The section just before this is about a birthday party for Herod; the daughter of Herodias danced for him, earning his praise, and led to the death of John the Baptist. Not only was John the Baptist killed, but his head was bought on a platter into the party.

At the time, people like Herod had lots of food, but for most people there was the daily struggle to find enough to eat. Food inequality has been happening for centuries, and food inequality continues to happen today.

The feast of Herod brings about death; yet the fish and bread – subsistence food – is a life giving feast for many.

.. Jesus has compassion on the crowd. Jesus and the disciples were headed for some time together, time for Jesus to grieve the death of his cousin John at the hands of Herod; but the crowd followed. “He felt sorry for them and healed everyone who was sick.”; other translations have that Jesus had compassion on the crowd.

Compassion that led him to act, in healing and feeding.[i] When you feel compassion for someone, does that lead you to action?

.. By feeding people, Jesus is acknowledging the humanity of people in the crowd. And it wasn’t enough to get by until they were back home; they ate until they had all they wanted. This was a time when most people would not have had the luxury of having all they wanted to eat.[ii]  

.. Another idea to think about from this passage is the way Jesus sees things differently to the disciples. The disciples saw why they could not feed everyone, they did not have enough; but Jesus trusts that what has been provided will be enough.

The disciples saw only five loaves and two fish and a large crowd, and said we can't do anything for all these people send them away.

But Jesus saw what the same 5 loaves and two fish, trusted God and saw potential. And there was more than enough.

I wonder when do we see scarcity,
when do we hold on to that which we have, not being willing to share?

Sometimes we are called on to give when we don't know if we have any to spare,
sometimes we are called to act when we feel unequipped,
sometimes we are called to speak out and we don't know the words to say.

 “What if rather than fretting whether we have enough, we simply give thanks for what we have, put it to use for those around us, and see just how far God might stretch and, indeed, multiply it? “ [iii]

It is easy to look at what we have, and see scarcity, see what we don’t have; but what would happen if we looked at what we have with the gratitude and trust that Jesus showed?

.. Jesus was concerned for the physical welfare of the people, not only their spiritual lives. [iv]

Some schools, including Ettalong Primary, now have breakfast available for students, because without breakfast it is very difficult to concentrate in class.  Jesus cared not only for the spiritual life of those he met, but cared about their whole life: physical, social, emotional and spiritual aspects of living.  

…………..

I love this passage from Isaiah, I wondered about the questions that are asked:

Why do you spend your money on food that doesn’t nourish?

Why do you spend your hard-earned wages on things that will never satisfy you?

What is it we are looking for? Some in the crowd were looking for healing, but what are we looking for?

Do we spend our money on that which nourishes our own life,
nourishes and nurtures the lives of the people who produce our food and clothes and other things,
and nourishes the life of the whole of creation?

Are we like Herod, whose feasting and lifestyle meant death and hunger to other people?

What resources do we have that brings us abundant life, and offers abundant life to others?

……

Sometimes we are like the disciples,
we doubt our ability,
we are pre-occupied with our own concerns,
and Jesus comes and shows us that there is more to us and more to life than we ever imagined.

This miracle is for those times.

I wonder what we need from Jesus?

Where are we being called to live out a miracle?

.. shortly we will share around bread and juice around the table.
Bread and juice that reminds us of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus.
Bread and juice that that is enough for all
bread and juice that symbolises nourishment and grace for all people.

.. Jesus had compassion on the crowd, what does it feel like to know Jesus has compassion for you? ^[v]

I wonder what we need from Jesus?

What can we do, that would show the compassion of God, not just to some people, but to all people.

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[i] Jennifer T. Kaalund, https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3357

[ii] Matt Skinner, https://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?post=4946

[iii] David Lose http://www.davidlose.net/2017/08/pentecost-9-a-gift-not-goal/

[iv] Jennifer T. Kaalund https://www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=3357

[v] David Lose http://www.davidlose.net/2017/08/pentecost-9-a-gift-not-goal/