March 17th, 2026

This week, we are reading through Matthew 14:14-21, focusing each day on a portion of this miraculous story that appears in all four gospels. You can also read about it in Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14 

Read Matthew 14:14-21 

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.

Jesus asks, “What do you have?” and commands that it be brought to Him. 

This makes me think about presenting my seemingly meaningless talents to the Lord with my head bowed down. I might  feel inadequate and that what I am offering is insignificant, questioning “How could this be enough?” I think about the times I feel as though I do not have what it takes to do something. I focus too much on what I think I need, relying on my own resources. I convince myself that I lack the finances, the strength, the time, the patience, etc. I sometimes end up giving up…doing nothing. I know I give up too easily. I lack faith. I fail to trust. Then I read this!! Jesus says, “Bring it to me!” This sounds like a command. An order. A challenge. “Bring it to me and watch what I will do!” And when we keep reading, we see what is done!! The God of miracles doesn’t need anything. He asks us to contribute so that we can be part of His plan. And when we do, we can celebrate with Him and enjoy the blessing!

Let us pray and rejoice together in all that the Lord can, will, and does for us:

Lord, Thank You for showing me how very powerful You are! Help me to bring all that I have to You with confidence. Forgive me for my previous lack of faith. As I ask for Your help in strengthening my trust, You take away my shame and replace it by reminding me of all Your mighty works! You spark an excitement to surrender everything I have to You. Thank You for the proof that everything I am and everything I do is because of You. My attributes are nothing without You and are everything to You! My desire is to serve You in every way I can. I am eager to see all that You are going to do!!  Thank You, Amen