Jesus the Chef                                                                                                                           E - 4

 

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matthew 13 (NIV)

 

A short story, found in more than one Gospel, but packed with encouragement for all of us.

We read in the story of the Wedding at Cana (found elsewhere in BUT NOW), that the hosts almost ran out of wine at the wedding reception.  This would a be a major goof-up, a story of mismanagement at its worst.  The host’s reputation would have been almost irreparable.

Jesus was asked by His mother Mary to help in some way.  He sure did!  He turned water into wine!  And He created more wine than needed, and it was the best tasting wine ever served!  Here He made more bread than needed, and more fish than were needed.  And the quality was superb!  It was warm bread and delicious fresh fish.  Everyone was more than satisfied at both events.

As you read this story and story of the Wedding at Cana, realize that when Jesus is involved, you will receive first class answers, help and encouragement!  A five-star experience!  What Jesus gives us is the very best wisdom and the very best encouragement!

 

1) Here again, like us, we sometimes explain to Jesus what cannot be done.  How wide was the imagination of the apostles?  Like ours?  What did their common sense tell Jesus?

2) Why did Jesus tell the apostles: “You give them something to eat”.  What might He have been trying to teach them?

3) When Jesus was given the five loaves and two fishes, what could the apostles been thinking?

4) Sometimes it is healthy for us to admit how little we can do by ourselves, and how much we need a God who dearly loves us.  Are you comfortable doing this?

5) As the apostles were distributing this food, what might they have been thinking?

6) Finally, study and think about the line that says: “They all ate and were satisfied”.  Here the question for you: How flavorful, fresh and delicious was this dinner???  Was it served hot?  Were the fish cooked just right for everyone?

7) Did Jesus give them a great and ample meal, or just about enough to get by?

8) If you were the only person there and Jesus fed you, how would the quality of His meal be?  In other words, are you worth it?

9) Bottom line: when we go outside our comfort zone and invite Jesus to be with us in a new way, what should we expect?