Truly in the Lord our God is the salvation of Israel. Jeremiah 3:23

He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.  Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. Matthew 15:35-36  

Jesus had great compassion for this large crowd before him.  They had followed him for several days and he knew they were hungry.  And so, he did a miracle, and all the people were filled, and there was food left over.

To the doubting mind, this was impossible.  Even believers wonder about the truth in this story.  But we forget, with God all things are possible.  

Jesus believed in meeting the needs of his people.  He healed those who came to him, whether they were blind, mute, ill, or disabled.  As we know from the story, he fed them because they had a need to be filled.  God’s power went out through Jesus to his people. 

Meeting needs is what it’s all about.  Only when humans have shelter and food and safety, are we able to learn and to grow.  Jesus knew this.  It wasn’t just the miracle itself.  He knew that his charges were not whole, that they had an important need.  And meeting that need would enable them to hear and accept his words.  

We, as his followers, are charged with meeting needs.  It’s why we serve meals at church, why we make quilts, why we donate our time and talent to VEAP, to food shelves, to shelters, to projects beyond our borders.  The list goes on and on.  We strive for the mind of Christ and as it says on our tee shirts, we are his hands.  

Dear Lord, Thank you for opportunities to have our needs met in this life.  Enable us to”pay it back” by doing for others what they cannot do for themselves.  Help us to meet someone’s need today, even if it’s only a friendly greeting and a smile.  Your love spills out of our hearts and we must share it.  Amen  

Joan Perlich     

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