Countdown to Easter Celebration - Day 13

Today's story is from all 4 Gospels.  It is the only event in Jesus' ministry recorded in all 4 New Testament Gospels. 
(Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15)

Jesus had recently recieved news that his dear friend and kinsmen, John the Baptist had been beheaded.  The 12 disciples had just returned from a journey.  They all were in need of some rest.  Jesus took them to the Sea of Galilee where they boarded a boat and headed for a secluded location.  However, the crowds still found them, and having compassion on the people, Jesus healed their sick and taught them about the Kingdom of God. 

When evening fell, the disciples asked Jesus to send the multitudes away so that they may eat.  But Jesus wanted to feed the people. He said "You feed them" Those people counted 5000 men.  According to Matthew, that count did not include women and children. 

Jesus asked Philip, "where can we buy these people something to eat?"  Jesus already knew how he would feed these people, but he questioned Philip to test him.  Philip answered that they did not have enough money to buy enough food for the amount of people gathered with them. 

Andrew (Simon Peter's brother) brought a boy forward who had 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish.  But still Andrew was unsure how this would feed 5000 men. 

Jesus organized the crowd into groups of 50.  He took the loaves, looked to Heaven, blessed the bread and broke the bread.  He did the same with the fish.  The disciples dispursed the broken bread and fish to the multitudes of people.  Not only did the men eat and were full, but the women and children as well. 

When all had been fed and were full, the lefovers were collected in baskets, 12 baskets full to be exact. 

Focus on Christ's words:  "YOU FEED THEM"  What is He saying to you right now?

YOU FEED THEM. 

 Feed them what Lord? 

ME. 

How do I do that?  I'm a broken person myself.

MY BODY WAS BROKEN ON THE CROSS FOR YOU. YOU FEED THEM.

 Who Lord?

 THE BROKEN.

So, you want me to feed the broken? ? the needy? the hurting? the lonely? You want me, a broken human, to feed the other broken humans?

YOU ARE SPECIAL, YOU KNOW ME.

Yes, I know you.  I believe in you.  I put my Faith in you.

 TAKE WHAT LITTLE YOU HAVE, GIVE OF YOURSELF,
AND SEE YOUR JOY MULTIPLY

Today:  Make a meal, dessert, or loaf of bread for someone who needs Jesus. Or maybe invite someone hurting over for tea/coffee.  Give of yourself, as little as you may have, and watch your Joy multiply. 

Lord Jesus, I pray that as each Woman of Joy, gives of herself today, that you bless her offering and multiply her joy.  You fed us Lord, you were broken for us, allow us to feed others who need you.  

AMEN