Wednesday 1 Dec 2021

December 1: Matthew 15:29-37

Key Verse: Matthew 15:36
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.

Devotion:
I have always looked at these verses which talk about the miracles Jesus did as just that, miracles! But after reading these verses again today, I started to see something more than just the miracle. I say ‘just the miracle’ but it is not just a miracle, it is extraordinary how much compassion Jesus had on the people and how He wanted God to show how much He cares for us…

Think about how Jesus was going about this for a minute. He started out by showing them love and healing those who needed healing and in turn blessing those around the people being healed. What better way for witnesses to be born than to see exactly what Jesus was doing to the people who they had come with – friends, family and those neighbours… they were the ones being healed and their family, friends and neighbours were the ones seeing it all happening right in front of them.

Even with the meagre offerings he had to start with, Jesus was able to expand on them into something remarkable. He started off by asking them to be obedient to His word. He asked them to sit down and wait on Him. He then took the meagre offerings and asked God to bless and multiply them for all to have enough.

He then broken the food into pieces and gave those pieces to the disciples; telling them to go out and give this bread to the people. Jesus was given a little food which He shared with the disciples who in turn shared it with the people until everyone had enough to eat. This is the same way He wants us to share the living bread – His Word – with others. He wants to give His Word to us and wants us to share that Word with others until we all have enough!

Points to Ponder:
Do you willingly take of Christ’s living bread?

Do you willingly give of Christ’s living bread?