Week of August 4
Hunger, Helplessness, and Hope
Read: 2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34; John 6
“Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.’”
John 6:11-12, ESV
Introduction
Do you hunger for change? The opening question will likely prompt several types of answers. Responses will likely include desires for changes in health, employment/income, housing, and even relationships. The query indeed holds moral importance in each of these areas, but it also holds spiritual meaning! I recognize this fact whenever I read John 6 and the miraculous feeding of 5000 men and their families.
This account represents the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels, so it is safe to assume that the Gospel writers knew the spiritual significance of Christ’s words and actions. Jesus’ words, “You give them something to eat,” provides part of the answer to the above question (Mark 6:37; Matthew 14:16; Luke 9:13; John 6:5). The Gospel is for those who truly hunger for the change He brings (see 6:26-27).
This account represents the only miracle recorded in all four Gospels, so it is safe to assume that the Gospel writers knew the spiritual significance of Christ’s words and actions. Jesus’ words, “You give them something to eat,” provides part of the answer to the above question (Mark 6:37; Matthew 14:16; Luke 9:13; John 6:5). The Gospel is for those who truly hunger for the change He brings (see 6:26-27).
The Meaning of the Text
The severity of spiritual hunger
Christ offers faith, but most people just want food. I understand that sometimes a growling stomach drowns out Christ’s words about the gift of eternal life. How about you? You may not lack food, but the rent is due, or the car needs major repairs, and it is hard to feel “faith-y” when you live in such need! Jesus knew there were many hundreds of hungry people there that day, so He fed them bread and fish, but His actions pointed to the offer to satisfy their deeper spiritual hunger! Yes, I know the hunger statistics for our world, which I will address below, but we also must recognize Jesus’ message about the severity of “spiritual hunger.”
Offering “whole” bread
Life-giving Bread. John certainly believed the truth about spiritual hunger, because he introduces this account with the words, “Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand” (6:4). Why would he promote a feast when hunger was often a daily fact of life for his readers? We are inside a section of John’s Gospel account where he presents another “miracle-message” combination under the broader theme of “festivals/feasts” (cf. John 5). He wants us to see that Jesus feeds Israel like God fed His people in the wilderness. Food and water form a powerful reminder that God feeds our deepest need in Jesus (cf. 6:1, Sea of Tiberius; and 6:11, “loaves”)! John uses the setting (the sea), the season (Passover), and the symbolism (water and bread) to shout the truth that Jesus is the answer to everything we need.
Messiah’s math! The ever-practical disciple Philip was from the area of Bethsaida, so he knew that markets would be closed by late afternoon; besides, feeding that many people would cost the sum of 200 days of wages just for people to get one small bite! He states, by way of paraphrase, “It ain’t happening!” (6:5-9). John shows us that the disciples came up with a kiddie meal—five small loaves of bread and two tiny fish (I’ll also address below the topic of limitless need and our limited resources). Jesus tests Philip (6:6), then He demonstrates to all His disciples how to calculate the situation from a Kingdom of God perspective. God’s economy was in full view, and it was a powerful teaching moment. Let’s apply the passage to our current lives.
Messiah’s math! The ever-practical disciple Philip was from the area of Bethsaida, so he knew that markets would be closed by late afternoon; besides, feeding that many people would cost the sum of 200 days of wages just for people to get one small bite! He states, by way of paraphrase, “It ain’t happening!” (6:5-9). John shows us that the disciples came up with a kiddie meal—five small loaves of bread and two tiny fish (I’ll also address below the topic of limitless need and our limited resources). Jesus tests Philip (6:6), then He demonstrates to all His disciples how to calculate the situation from a Kingdom of God perspective. God’s economy was in full view, and it was a powerful teaching moment. Let’s apply the passage to our current lives.
The Message for Your Heart
Jesus fed 5000 men and their family members that day, so roughly 10,000+ people were satisfied. The facts about current global hunger are staggering: 828 million people on the planet are now hungry and over 45 million children under the age of five suffer from “wasting,” the deadliest form of malnutrition! Furthermore, 149 million children beneath five years of age experience stunted growth and development due to chronic poor nutrition. Hunger was present in Jesus’ day, and it remains a pressing need in our day. This reality begs a huge question, so I will ask it!
Why doesn’t Jesus break bread over the hungry world every day? Perhaps we have not been listening to Him: “You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16; italics mine). What follows are two hindrances to allaying worldwide hunger (and there are more). First, current climate changes are impacting global food production which leads to hunger. Please lay aside political associations with my previous statement. We all can endlessly debate the cause for temperature rises, but my focus today is pragmatic. Temperatures are climbing, for whatever reason, and this spike contributes significantly to droughts, crop failures, and subsequent flooding. All three contribute to hunger. However, “global warming” has an ugly twin sibling, “global harming,” because wars, conflicts, and economic slowdowns are also key factors in hunger (cf. Concern Worldwide). Christ’s words, “You give them something to eat,” challenge us to consider holistic ways to help reduce global hunger.
Here are two points of application. First, we should give Jesus what we have because nothing is useless in His miracle-working hands (cf. 6:13; gathered up twelve baskets with fragments; Jeremiah 31:14). The great temptation for us may be that we look at what we have in the way of money and opportunity, consider the world’s overwhelming needs, and determine that our little is not useful by comparison. So, we choose not to do anything! However, we must choose to do something. The Baptist Center for Global Concerns has little in the way of money and influence, but we choose to practice ministry by using Christ’s economy (trust God, 6:11) and meeting needs on a personal level (cf. Mary’s Table®). You can do the same with what you have. Secondly, give Jesus your life in faith—all of it—because your insignificance is the doorway to a momentous life change wrought by Him (cf. Matthew 5:3). The answer to humanity’s deepest physical and spiritual hunger originates from one source, Jesus Christ.
Why doesn’t Jesus break bread over the hungry world every day? Perhaps we have not been listening to Him: “You give them something to eat” (Matthew 14:16; italics mine). What follows are two hindrances to allaying worldwide hunger (and there are more). First, current climate changes are impacting global food production which leads to hunger. Please lay aside political associations with my previous statement. We all can endlessly debate the cause for temperature rises, but my focus today is pragmatic. Temperatures are climbing, for whatever reason, and this spike contributes significantly to droughts, crop failures, and subsequent flooding. All three contribute to hunger. However, “global warming” has an ugly twin sibling, “global harming,” because wars, conflicts, and economic slowdowns are also key factors in hunger (cf. Concern Worldwide). Christ’s words, “You give them something to eat,” challenge us to consider holistic ways to help reduce global hunger.
Here are two points of application. First, we should give Jesus what we have because nothing is useless in His miracle-working hands (cf. 6:13; gathered up twelve baskets with fragments; Jeremiah 31:14). The great temptation for us may be that we look at what we have in the way of money and opportunity, consider the world’s overwhelming needs, and determine that our little is not useful by comparison. So, we choose not to do anything! However, we must choose to do something. The Baptist Center for Global Concerns has little in the way of money and influence, but we choose to practice ministry by using Christ’s economy (trust God, 6:11) and meeting needs on a personal level (cf. Mary’s Table®). You can do the same with what you have. Secondly, give Jesus your life in faith—all of it—because your insignificance is the doorway to a momentous life change wrought by Him (cf. Matthew 5:3). The answer to humanity’s deepest physical and spiritual hunger originates from one source, Jesus Christ.
For Thought and Action
1. What divide in your life—loss of job, loss of health, or lack of food—has been the great divide between you and God’s love? Invite Jesus to help you bridge the gap. Secondly, how will you answer physically and spiritually Jesus’ question, “Give them something to eat”?
2. For Families: How is your family helping to give the world’s poor something to eat? When you share this devotional, allow your children time to process this thought and question. Give them a day to think through their answers. What might your family do to 1) feed those who need food, and 2) introduce those who are without Christ to Him? Ask everyone to pray about this and be ready to have a family chat the next day.
When you come back to the table, ask your children if they heard some whisper in their hearts about this from God. Listen to what your children say. Pray together and ask God what He would like to see your family do in this area of supplying food/feeding hungry people. Make a list of suggestions. Choose together the preferred action. Ask if everyone is in agreement, and then set a date to put your plan into motion.
After you have worked your plan, gather back together and see how everyone felt about it. Did it bring your family a sense of deep peace that you were following the Lord? If so, calendar this action again throughout the year. God will let you know the best way to do this in your area.
May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock
2. For Families: How is your family helping to give the world’s poor something to eat? When you share this devotional, allow your children time to process this thought and question. Give them a day to think through their answers. What might your family do to 1) feed those who need food, and 2) introduce those who are without Christ to Him? Ask everyone to pray about this and be ready to have a family chat the next day.
When you come back to the table, ask your children if they heard some whisper in their hearts about this from God. Listen to what your children say. Pray together and ask God what He would like to see your family do in this area of supplying food/feeding hungry people. Make a list of suggestions. Choose together the preferred action. Ask if everyone is in agreement, and then set a date to put your plan into motion.
After you have worked your plan, gather back together and see how everyone felt about it. Did it bring your family a sense of deep peace that you were following the Lord? If so, calendar this action again throughout the year. God will let you know the best way to do this in your area.
May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock
Posted in Pathway Devotionals