The Journey, part 26: the blessing

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people. And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full. (Luke 9:16-17 NASB)

The people were seated in groups of fifty, and the available loaves and fish had been delivered to Jesus. The disciples stood by, waiting to see what Jesus would do next. What He did was the most natural, sensible thing He could have done. He took what they had, held it before heaven and looked to His Father for blessing. That divine blessing miraculously changed what was just enough for a young boy into what was more than enough for a multitude. 

Jesus began breaking the bread and fish into pieces and giving it to the disciples to distribute. He kept breaking the food into pieces and giving it to the disciples to distribute. The disciples kept distributing the food to the people. Every person there ate fish and bread that day, and everyone ate enough to be satisfied, every single one. In fact, there was plenty of food left over. With twelve baskets of food remaining, He had not only provided enough for everyone there. Jesus had also provided a basket of food apiece for every one of the disciples. There was enough for those who did the work of ministry as well as those who received that ministry. 

It was an incredible miracle that began in the most common way imaginable. A mother packed a lunch for her young son. She didn't expect to be a part of something divine that day. She was just providing for her son the way she always did. That boy likely didn't expect to be a part of a miracle that day, either. He had been taught to share and, when he heard Jesus was looking for food, he gave all he had. Jesus took the gifts from that little family and did something amazing, and we don't even know that mother's name. You can be sure God knows, though. 

As that mother found when her son returned home with the news of what Jesus had done with the lunch she had prepared, there is no telling what God can do with our simple acts of faithfulness, especially when they are offered as a gift to our Lord. Scripture tell us, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might;" (Ecclesiastes 9:10a NASB) The miracle of the multitude shows us once again how important that mighty working can be. 

What has God given you to do today? Give your best effort to the task. You never know when God will take your small effort and use it to create a miracle people with be retelling for generations to come.