Sometimes we get ourselves into little messes. Even though the messes aren’t that big, they seem huge while they’re going on.
This meal is Jesus’ most famous miracle, and one of the few that every Gospel writer included in their tale of Jesus’ life. 5000 people, far out in the middle of nowhere, in the hot sun, listening to Jesus teach all day long, and suddenly there is a loud, collective growl of 5000 stomachs. Nobody remembered to bring food — well, almost nobody.
Andrew finds “a youth here” who had the sense to pack a lunch. I feel for that poor youth. Not only is there a distinct possibility of losing his lunch, but there’s also that awkward moment when religious people realize there’s a “young person” around. Hey look! It’s a youth!
The mess gets messier. Andrew continues, “What good is that for a crowd like this?”
We already know what’s happens next, but what a crummy way to treat the one smart person among 5000. Have you ever been that one smart person?
By Chris Suehr from D365