Christ Our Bread
About this time another great crowd had gathered, and the people ran out of food again. Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. And if I send them home without feeding them, they will faint along the road. For some of them have come a long distance.” “How are we supposed to find enough food for them here in the wilderness?” his disciples asked. “How many loaves of bread do you have?” he asked. “Seven,” they replied. Mark 8:1-5
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Jesus enlisted his disciples to help him feed the multitude of people gathered to hear the Good News. They had no idea how the hungry hoard could be satisfied; they had so little to offer them. But when they gave Jesus the resources they had, a miracle occurred, and there was plenty of food for everyone.
Jesus asks us the same question today that he asked his disciples then: “How many loaves of bread do you have?” We may feel that we have no resources to give, but there are hungry people to feed. When we give Jesus our “bread,” whether it is our time, money, or special talent or skills, he is able to take it—however little it is—and make it life and refreshment for many. Christ is our sufficiency when our personal resources are insufficient. He is our adequacy when we are inadequate. And when we yield all that we are and have to him, he can do more with it than we could ask or think. Express your desire for the Lord to use you today. Then be obedient to what he directs you to do with the “bread” you have.
Prayers:
THANK YOU, LORD, for the miracle you performed to feed the multitude and thank you for the ways you are still doing miracles today as we give what we have to you. There are so many in the wilderness, people who are physically and spiritually hungry. Strengthen me, use me, and prepare me to partner with you in what you are doing on earth.
Quotes:
Christ is the bread for men’s souls. In him the church has enough to feed the whole world.
Ian Maclaren (1850–1907)
The One Year Bible Readings for today are: Leviticus 16:29–18:30; Mark 7:24–8:10; Psalm 41:1-13 and Proverbs 10:15-16.
