Today is September 21

Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from the gospel of Matthew, chapter 15.

32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children.

For three days, 4000 men, plus women and children were so hungry for healing, and enthralled with what Jesus was saying that they stopped everything they were doing, and came, and watched, and listened. They must have been convinced there was something special about Jesus. Picture him there, healing the people, teaching and overflowing with the Father's love. What do you imagine He spoke about that was so compelling?

This was one of the biggest recorded miracles. But Jesus didn't just make food out of thin air. He needed smaller miracles to make the big one work. It was a miracle that this many people sat and listened, and witnessed, for three days. It was a miracle that anyone had any food at all after that long, and here, a little boy had just enough. If we focus too hard on the big miracles, we miss the smaller, less obvious ones, like a seemingly random text message sent exactly when you need it, or having a meeting you weren't prepared for suddenly canceled. As you hear the scripture read again, consider the little miracles that happened in your life this week.

As we close our time of reflection, think about the little miracles in your life that add up to the bigger miracle of you getting through the day. Do you see the effect of God as you look back? Is He there only when you look back, or was He there when it happened?

Music Credit:
"The Moments" - Samuel Lane/Vineyard Worship (YouTube)