TUESDAY

SCRIPTURE - John 6:1-15

The feeding of one’s children is not something parents only think about during those first few years of life. In some ways, it’s a lifelong concern, even as they watch their kids become more self-directed and thoughtful about that process as they grow. God continues to be the source of our sustenance, providing all that we need as we learn to trust, but how we relate to that makes a huge difference in how we, and those around us, experience what God so much wants to provide. This is illustrated powerfully in the Scripture passage we are reflecting on today, as we see Jesus inviting his disciples to consider how they are going to find enough food to feed the huge crowd of people (more than 5,000 in number) who had been listening to him speak. Jesus poses the question to Philip, who responds by talking about what they don’t have enough of. Andrew responds by talking about what they do have, but he doesn’t think it’s enough either. Jesus takes the offering of the small boy Andrew had found, gives thanks, and gives the five small loaves and two small fish to the disciples to distribute to all those who were gathered there. To their utter amazement, all of them ate their fill, and twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up afterward. That’s something to pause and ponder!

• Who do you find yourself identifying with most in the story? Philip? Andrew? The boy? The other disciples? The crowd? Why?

• How do you think each of those mentioned in the previous question were impacted by what happened? Consider them one at a time as you reflect on that question.

• In what ways have you discovered that what appears to be very little—when offered to God with thanks, distributed, and shared—can become abundant and satisfying in ways you might not have anticipated… even with leftovers?

• Where do you find yourself today in the midst of this story? Where would you like to be? What choices might you make to move closer to, or maintain, that desired place in the story?

Take a few moments to read through the story again, and then share with God what is on your heart in response to what you are hearing there, and whatever else may be on your heart.