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.
Upon recognizing the people’s need to be fed, Jesus also realized the need for a plan, and He sprang into action! He immediately provided direction, creating order and organizing the crowd to ensure everyone would get something to eat.
This reminds me of my days in the Emergency Room when there would be a full waiting room of people needing various degrees of medical attention. Every person needed to be seen and heard in order to properly identify their needs. Only then could a plan be put in place. Every patient was viewed as important and needed to be accounted for. My job was to create order and provide assurance that someone would attend to them as soon as they could. My job was simple. I was the receptionist. I served as the greeter upon entering the Emergency Room. I had no medical or professional training; I simply took names and recorded symptoms. I kept track of patients and where they were, so that when a nurse came for them, they were located quickly and moved on to the next step. The patients were prepped for what to expect next. This created a sense of calm in the midst of what could feel like chaos. It provided reassurance that each need would eventually be met.
This is the way it is supposed to be. Once needs are identified, order is very important. Reassurance is necessary. People need to be seen and heard to feel valued. This is Jesus’ way!
What are some steps you can take using your gifts and talents to live like Jesus? How can you provide order in your everyday life in the midst of chaos?
Let’s begin with prayer:
Lord, thank You for reminding us of the importance of order. Thank You for Your reassurance. When doubt creeps in, You lead us through Your Word. Thank You for seeing us. Thank You for hearing us and identifying our needs. You are such a blessing to us. Help us to be a blessing to others as we continue to follow Your lead in identifying needs and creating order. Show us the way, the truth, and the light! Amen
