| We are sometimes tempted to believe
that we do not have enough, aren't we? We believe we do not
have enough time, enough money, enough talent or resources or possessions
of a particular kind. While it may be true that we do not have
enough of what we want most of us have more than enough of what
we need.
Jesus' disciples were facing a dilemma. Jesus had been
teaching a multitude of thousands far away from any convenience
store. The hour was getting late. The disciples feared the crowd
might become angry with hunger and that the goodwill Jesus had
gained from His preaching and healing would be lost. So they
explained the situation to Him and suggested He send them home.
His response was, "They don't need to leave; you
feed them!" The problem, as the disciples saw it, was that
between them they only had five loaves of bread and two fish.
They shared their problem with Jesus and were instructed to
bring what they had to Him. He blessed what they brought to Him
and told them to feed the thousands who were there. When the
meal ended everyone had eaten their fill and there was food left
over. What had happened? A miracle had taken place. It is the
only miracle recorded in all four Gospels.
If we take this story literally as many scholars believe we
should it raises a contemporary problem. If God really exists
and if God really loves, then why doesn't God act and at
least provide the basic necessities for all people? According
to Bread for the World, 852
million people across the world are hungry right now. This is
about four times the current population of the United States. "As
many as six million children under five years old die every year
from hunger related causes as reported in the July/August issue
of Emphasis (page
39.) Poor nutrition and calorie deficiencies cause nearly one
in three people to die prematurely or to live with disabilities.
Again many people ask where God is in the midst of all this.
I like Archbishop Desmond Tutu's response to this question.
He has said on more than one occasion, "God is waiting
for a human partner."
When the disciples came to Jesus with the problem of feeding
the multitudes He did not say, "Okay I will take care of
it!" He told the disciples to give them something to eat
and then He blessed what they brought to Him. There are those
today who believe the miracle that took place that day was that
the love and unselfishness of Jesus and His disciples caused
those who had a lot with them to share with those who had nothing.
Many people today believe there is enough food and medicine
available for everyone on the planet if only it was shared by
those who possess it. Often the first real step in truly helping
those in need is to ask the question about how to do it rather
than saying we do not have enough or that it is impossible.
The Scripture provides us with a contrast that demonstrates
the difference between being self-centered and God-centered.
In the passage just prior to today's story in Matthew is
the story of Herod's birthday party which he had for himself.
No expense was spared. When the daughter of his mistress danced
for him he told her he would give her anything she wanted. She
consulted her mother who hated John the Baptist for correctly
calling her an adulterer. Herod had put John in prison. Now Herodias
told her daughter to request John be beheaded. Herod obliged.
Imagine having someone killed on your birthday to reward someone
for dancing for you.
Contrast this with Jesus. Those in His audience didn't
have enough bread to eat. As an act of love and compassion Jesus
saw to their needs rather than His own. Keep in mind he had come
to this place to be alone and to rest but the crowds found Him
and He ministered to them all day doing things to bring them
life.
God's desire is to bring life to all people. Just as Jesus
counted upon His disciples to help Him, God is counting on us
today. In six weeks we will celebrate ShareFest in our community
to demonstrate that we will not allow acts of hatred to overcome
the good.
We will have a work project which is yet undetermined. We will
be seeking forty people to donate blood. And, the Presbyterian
churches in the area have challenged the Methodists, Lutherans
and Catholics to discover which group can donate the largest
amount of food for the area food banks. In addition to this we
are gathering backpacks and school supplies as we hope to provide
these much needed objects for the children at local schools.
We need to gather these thing before school begins. You may leave
them inside either entrance of the church.
As of last week we had received $7,000 of the $20,000 that is
needed to fund the new Spanish-speaking congregation presently
meeting at Second Presbyterian Church.
We have a goal of $7,500 for our Habitat House and we have received
one third of that. We are looking forward to many more hours
of labor there and will work there next Saturday.
Some may ask if we have enough resources to do all of this.
Others will wonder if we have enough time. Some might suggest
that others need to do more, but God is counting on us.
I would like to close with this story from Emphasis:
A young boy was sent to the store to buy some milk.
He was gone much longer than his mother expected and so when
he returned she wanted to know why this errand had taken so
long. He explained,
"On the way back home I passed through the park where
I met a boy who was crying because he had lost his ball in
the high grass."
"Oh," said his mother, "so you stopped to
console him?"
"No!" said the boy, "I stayed and helped him
find it."
The people in our community and world who are in need must have
more than our consolation. They need us to be with them to help
find the things they need for life. What we need to believe and
accept is that God is waiting for us to become partners and there
is more than enough if we will share what we have. |
