Read Luke 9:10-17

The feeding of the 5,000 is one of my favorite miracle stories. It’s not just because of the magnitude of the miracle, turning five small loaves and two small fish into a meal for 5,000 plus individuals. It’s not just because of the way Jesus knows what he’s going to do, and the disciples are (again!) surprised. I think, at its heart, it’s because Jesus is taking care of the basic needs of his followers.

It’s not extra stuff—not fancy wine at the end of a wedding. It’s not showy stuff—not bringing someone back from the dead. It’s not even desperate stuff—it’s not people in their greatest need, no sick children, no blindness, no insanity. It’s just plain, old, ordinary supper.

Even I can throw a dinner party!

It shows that Jesus cares even about the things that we take for granted every day. Jesus cares that we are fed. Safe. Secure. Warm.

Which means that we should care that people are fed. Safe. Secure. Warm. We should care about the gentleman standing on the corner with a sign. Has he had a meal today? Is he overheated in the sun? Is he warm enough? Has anyone noticed that he’s a human being today?

TODAY’S ADVENT ACTION: Feed someone today, whether it be through a homeless shelter or taking a meal to a neighbor. Help someone meet their basic needs. It’s also Giving Tuesday, so you can give a donation to your favorite shelter. How about Crises Control Ministry?