Jesus Feeds the Multitudes

My favorite book (actually a trilogy) of all time is the Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. Most of you know of this classic story of the battle between those things which are good against those which are evil within creation. In the first volume of the LOTR trilogy is one of my most beloved quotes:

“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Ganfalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” (J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring)

The rapidly changing events of our world have caused me to return to this quote several times over the past week. I am convinced that right now is one of those events (probably for many of us a once in a lifetime) that can cause us to make a similar declaration as Frodo, while knowing, in reality, that we have to ask ourselves the question, “What am I going to do with this time that is given me?” This Sunday we will be dealing with this question and as we do we will have the great wisdom/example of Jesus Christ to lead us in our response.

I hope you will take time to watch the video, read the scripture and reflect on the questions below as you prepare for the Life Feed Worship Experience this Sunday.

Scripture Reading: 
“Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down.A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all.The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel.
Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.”
The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?”
Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” 
They replied, “Seven loaves, and a few small fish.”
So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground.Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd.
They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food.There were 4,000 men who were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children.” (Matthew 15:29–38 NLT-SE)

Reflection Questions:

1. What does it mean that Jesus “Healed them all?”

1. Why do you think Jesus, “Felt sorry for these people?”

1. How would you tell this story in modern America?

1. How do the disciples participate in the story?