Feeding the masses

Today’s Reading: John 6:5-6 (NIV)

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.

Memory Verse: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7 ESV)

Good day!

I remember many years ago, enjoying some wonderful Friday evening meals with our friends, Mel and Barb, at their home in St. Louis. In the mid-seventies, when plaid pants, wide ties, and bell-bottomed blue jeans were all the craze, this family would host get-togethers for their youth group in their home on Friday nights. There was always plenty to eat! Barb owned the biggest spaghetti pots I’ve ever seen. She made cooking for the masses look easy! Part of learning how to prepare food in large quantities comes when regularly cooking for a large crew. Mel and Barb were blessed with six wonderful children, and it was no big deal to add another pot or two on the stove. My mother grew up in a family of seven siblings. My grandmother would begin preparing breakfast long before sun-up, and she would wash the last dish after the evening meal long after the sun went down. She fed hungry people all day long. They would work in the fields all day, stopping after the sun set, ready to eat dinner. When they came inside to eat, they were starving! In today’s single-serve, microwavable moments, we sometimes find it hard to imagine what it may be like to offer food to lots of famished folks.

How can we reach mass numbers of hungry people the Bread of Life? I found myself pondering this question yesterday. Standing in the entry way of the information center at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, I viewed a piece of stunning artwork painted over the door frame of the welcome center. In this eye-catching mural, one can see our Lord Jesus Christ, victorious, coming in the clouds, seated upon His white horse. He is returning for His bride, as promised in Holy Scripture. Jesus knew how to satisfy hearts who are starving to taste the Bread of Life. After His death and resurrection, Christ commanded His disciples to get out there and offer His Word to hungry masses. Men and women come to this seminary every year from all over the world, simply seeking answers on how to best reach starving hearts with His bread, the food that nourishes both body and soul. We are called to answer Christ’s Great Commission, until the moment He returns to bring us home. Christ asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” How would you respond to the Master’s question today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Teach me Lord, how to offer the bread of life to starving masses. I think I’m going to need a bigger pot. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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© Copyright 2008, Deb Spaulding

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