A Simple Meal Shared

They came.  All morning and all afternoon they gathered.  They hailed from many different places and together represented a diverse slice of society. 

Some came because they were curious.  Others arrived because they needed to be there.  Still others wandered onto the scene completely by accident.  There were those that stopped in order to get something off of their chest.  They had some protesting to do; their displeasure had to be made known.  Many were unsure why they had come to this place at this time.  Maybe they got caught up in the excitement of a growing crowd.  Maybe a friend or family member brought them.  Or maybe there was something greater at work here. 

It really didn't matter why they came.  They were there.

As minutes turned into hours, people began to settle into small groups to talk about what they had seen and heard.  Many shared stories of similar gatherings on similar hillsides across the countryside.  Others spoke of miracles and wonders.  While they talked, the children ran to and fro in wild games of chase and tag.  On this day, no one was in a hurry and everyone had the freedom to be themselves. 

As afternoon fell into evening, everyone had their attention called to the top of the hillside.  There a man stood.  Above his head he held a loaf of bread.  His voice cut through the rich country air. 

A simple blessing was said for a simple meal.  The bread was broken. 

All who were gathered ate; one common meal for one common people. 

When the meal was done, the leftovers were collected and filled twelve baskets.

All present that day were astonished at what had just taken place.  Somehow the hunger of all those gathered was satiated.

In the shadows of the crowd a little boy stood.  In his hands he held his lunch sack, now empty.  Jesus had asked the boy if he would be willing to share his lunch.  Perhaps he was honored that Jesus would ask.  Maybe he was reluctant to share. 

However, at some point he said something like, "Yes Rabbi, I will share my lunch." 

Here is the miracle.  Jesus took all that the little boy had to offer and filled the needs of the multitude gathered there. It doesn't matter what actually happened that day. It is unimportant if the fish and loaves were multiplied by some supernatural phenomenon or if the people gathered we miraculously compelled to share what they each had brought with them. Whatever the details may have been, the real miracle was that through one small gift in the hands of Jesus, all were fed.

Yes, in his tiny hands a little boy held his empty lunch sack; a simple monument to a spiritual truth. 

The same truth is still at work. Offer Jesus all you have and it will be used it to fill the needs of others.

Always be willing to share your lunch.