The God Pause Daily Devotional in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Friday, 4 August 2017 - Matthew 14:13-21

The God Pause Daily Devotional in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Friday, 4 August 2017 - Matthew 14:13-21

Matthew 14:

13 On hearing about this, Yeshua left in a boat to be by himself in the wilderness. But the people learned of it and followed him from the towns by land. 14 So when he came ashore, he saw a huge crowd; and, filled with compassion for them, he healed those of them who were sick.

15 As evening approached, the talmidim came to him and said, “This is a remote place and it’s getting late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go and buy food for themselves in the villages.” 16 But Yeshua replied, “They don’t need to go away. Give them something to eat, yourselves!” 17 “All we have with us,” they said, “is five loaves of bread and two fish.” 18 He said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 After instructing the crowds to sit down on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking up toward heaven, made a b’rakhah. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the talmidim, who gave them to the crowds. 20 They all ate as much as they wanted, and they took up twelve baskets full of the pieces left over. 21 Those eating numbered about five thousand men, plus women and children.

(Complete Jewish Bible)

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Back in the day (and by that I mean Jesus' day), miracles were the workings of one agent. That agent was Jesus Christ. We hear of his agency as a miracle-worker in this week's gospel, when he made five loaves and two fish feed a crowd of thousands. So where are these types of miracles today? Since Christ is no longer here as the agent of miracles, who has such agency? As Christians, as God's children, we do. At least in this country as Christians with the means, we have the tools to do this work--to turn a low supply of loaves and fishes, in any place of need in this world, into more than enough to feed thousands and with plenty of leftovers to share. You were made in the image of Christ so you can work miracles. Go and do likewise!
Gracious healer, work in us the miracles you want us to perform. Help us in ordinary ways, to work extraordinary miracles for those in need. Amen.
Kyle Svennungsen, '14
Associate Pastor, St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Matthew 14:13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.
15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves."
16 Jesus said to them, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat."
17 They replied, "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish."
18 And he said, "Bring them here to me."
19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.
21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. [New Revised Standard Version]

The Luther Seminary

2481 Como Avenue

Saint Paul, Minnesota  55108, United States

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