What Do You Have?

This story is found twice in the Bible, just like yesterday's story. The stories are very similar. Again, there are thousands of people with Jesus. He heals and teaches. People are impressed by all the miracles, and they praise God. It's so special to be there with Jesus that no one thinks about going home. And now Jesus sees a very practical need: these people have not eaten for three days. And He feels splagchnizomai. He doesn't want them to ‘fall over with hunger’.

He calls the disciples to Himself, and He shares with them what He feels. "I feel compassion, I'm worried." The disciples understand and immediately start thinking about the solution. Food is needed for thousands of people, but that is nowhere to be found because they are in the 'middle of nowhere'.

And then Jesus asks that beautiful question: “What do you have?”And with that little bit, those few loaves of bread and a few fish, Jesus miraculously feeds all those thousands of people.

How wonderful that Jesus shares with his disciples what’s happening. Not only what He sees and thinks when He sees those people, but also what He feels about it. What an invitation to share in the thoughts and feelings of Jesus and be a part of the solution! And what reassurance Jesus gives when He shows that even with small things, He can also do a great miracle.

Time to reflect.

Do you want to feel splagchnizomai even if you know you don't have 'the solution'? Do you want to discover what you do have and give it to God expecting that He can do infinite things with it? And would it be okay for you if you can't do anything or can't help? Are you able to rest in the confidence that Jesus can also involve others?