Planting seeds of God’s care in people’s hearts may grow from the soil of fullness in their belly. And especially when they feel a connection to the person who plants and fills them with God’s happy Word.
Jesus withdrew to a secluded place, and when the people heard, they followed Him on foot from the cities. When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is late. Send the crowds into the villages to buy food for themselves. But Jesus said, “Give them something to eat!” They said, “We only have five loaves and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food. Breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples and the disciples gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up twelve full baskets of leftovers. There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. Matthew 14: 13-21
Sometimes we might think that God’s mandate to feed the hungry means to feed only those who are extraordinarily hungry because of extraordinary circumstances. In all the accounts of Jesus feeding the crowds (Matthew, Mark and Luke), the disciples suggested the people buy their own food in the nearby villages. It might have been a hardship for some, but the disciples didn’t seem to think it was an impossibility and were more concerned about logistics.
Jesus felt compassion towards the crowds and healed many of the sick that day. That out of the way, you might say that His desire to feed them was in the way of a treat and a way to ease the planning. This was also a way to keep the crowd together, celebrating the things God had just shown them through His preaching. In all the movies that show this scene, it is portrayed as a party filled with joy. The crowd is celebrating with each other, enjoying eating together and sharing the abundance of food from the baskets they were passing around.
God does call us to feed those who are chronically hungry and have no access to resources that will subdue that hunger. Supporting a hungry child overseas, adding to local food banks with any surplus God gives you, filling up weekend backpacks with food for schoolchildren in need or taking piles of sandwiches down to the local homeless hangout in your city are all great ways to follow God’s command. There are as many ways to feed the extraordinarily hungry as there are creative ideas from ordinary people who feel compelled to serve in this way.
And in-between opportunities to be a part or to start one of those kinds of ministries, don’t forget that there is another way to feed the hungry that promotes fellowship, closeness and sparks of God’s love as we rub elbows with each other. Hospitality is about sharing God’s goodness in your life, whether it’s a beautiful home, great cooking, or knowing the best caterers.
How might you feed and share God’s heart with folks who know Him and folks who don’t know Him yet?
Jesus, You show me how to demonstrate love. I know that You have given me Your resources to share with others. Show me the best time to step out and invite others into my home and heart, for Your sake. Amen.
happy hunger 
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