“And they all ate and were satisfied.” Luke 9:17a ESV
Reflection: Are you a grateful person?
It is easy to be caught up in the chase after more, better, bigger, nicer, etc in this world. We are daily bombarded with ads telling us that if we only get that one thing, we will be happier. And for most, this chase leads to debt slavery, difficult to break free from. But if we really take an honest look at ourselves, where does this chase come from? Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there is anything wrong with a big house and a nice car. But the honest reflection is to consider how much things control us? Do we want more, or are we
truly grateful for what we have?
In Luke 9:10-17, we read a familiar story of Jesus feeding a huge crowd of more than 5000 people, with only 5 breads and 2 fishes. There are so many lessons for us in this story, but today I was struck with the thought of gratitude, of being thankful. Let’s consider the following.
The crowd had been there all day, listening to Jesus. “When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.” Luke 9:11 ESV. As the day went on, into the evening hours, people naturally got hungry. They had not brought food or supplies with them, just excited about hearing Jesus talk and, healing the sick. But now the physical needs of the body started to show up, as we all know about.
Let’s stop and think about this situation for a moment. Been there all day, tired, hungry, would be pretty normal for most to look at the time and decide to head on home. But they didn’t. They are told to sit down, to form groups of fifty people. And wait. To be patient. And they do.
And then, we learn about this great miracle that happened, where Jesus multiplied the bread and the fish, which were passed out to each of the groups to eat. And it says that “they all ate.” Luke 9:17a ESV. But again, it is another point for us to consider. The people could have complained about the food, thinking “only bread and fish? The food at home is better so let’s go.” But they didn’t. “They all ate
and were satisfied.” Luke 9:17a ESV
Being satisfied implies being grateful for what they had received for their physical needs. But can you just imagine the feast they received from the Lord spiritually??
It might be good for us to do some self reflection, whether we have a grateful heart. To consider what is driving us, what we are seeking. More of the world, or more of the kingdom of God? The Bible is full of references to gratitude and thanksgiving, to being grateful.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV