Real Hope: Food for the SoulSample

Feeding of the 5,000

Breathe in… hold… and breathe out. Well done for making it here, choosing to pick up a devotion and spending this moment together.

It’s fair to say food is one of my love languages. A good meal is a place of communion. It gathers friends (new and old), family and strangers together and sets the scene for great things to happen. Life is complex, so it’s easy to withdraw, to isolate, but a good cuppa and your favourite treat shared in community can solve a lot of problems.

Jesus feeding the 5,000 is one of these moments of communion – setting the scene for miracles to happen, and for relationships to grow. Matthew 14:13–21 is a miracle in the midst of much personal pain for Jesus. He has just lost one of His best friends and yet, so motivated by compassion, He steps toward people. Toward a community who needed Him… He steps out of the boat, heals the sick, and calls the disciples to think differently, changing their lives forever.

Like any good host, Jesus wasn’t worried when things ran long. He shows us that whatever is in your hand is enough to start – surrender it to God – bless it – be generous and watch what God does next. ‘They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over’ (verse 20).

Give thanks for the community God has placed you in, share a cuppa and remember to breathe – God has provision for you through all the seasons of life.

Written by NATALIE BENNETT