Bible Reading: John 6:5-15
Let's pretend. Imagine that you are the little boy whose lunch of five little loaves of barley bread and two little fish was used to feed that crowd of 5,000 men plus all the women and children who were with them.
Imagine having Andrew walk up to you and say, "May I have your lunch? I want to give it to Jesus." What would you be thinking? How would you feel?
Imagine walking up to Jesus and handing him your small, simple lunch. Did Jesus smile at you? Did He thank you? What thoughts went through your mind? Were you excited? Afraid? Wondering what would happen next?
Imagine listening as Jesus looked toward heaven and prayed. Imagine watching as Jesus took the bread and fish from your lunch and began breaking them into pieces. Imagine watching – or even following – as the disciples walked through the crowd and gave everyone pieces of bread and fish, the same bread and fish that was meant to feed only you. Imagine seeing those five small loaves of bread and two little fish being multiplied thousands of times. So many times that there was enough to feed the entire crowd, more than 5,000 people! Imagine hearing Jesus say, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." then watching as the disciples walked through the crowd and gathered 12 baskets full of bread and fish!
How could this all happen? How could Jesus do such a wonderful miracle? Why had Jesus allowed you – a little boy – to participate in such an amazing event? You had so little, yet you used what you had to honor Jesus and help other people. What Jesus gave you in return, well, it was immeasurable!
"To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away." Matthew 25:29
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be as selfless and generous as the little boy who gave his lunch to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.