Rachel Fisher

Matthew 14:13-21 (NIV)

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Reflection:
One of my very favorite past times is cheering on marathoners. Yes, God granted me the gift of volume and enthusiasm, two traits that come very much in hand when encouraging strangers along the route. There is an energy to the crowds that is unmatched; collectively, we provide no purpose other than to motivate the athletes whizzing past us to keep doing just that. And as a runner (yes, I have done ONE half-marathon…), the support is vital to maintaining one’s stamina while pursuing such a hefty goal.

But when the race ends, I walk away, silly sign and noisemaker in hand, back to reality. I get in my car, buckle my seatbelt, and head onto the streets of the city, where people speed up around traffic to wedge their way in. Then I walk into work where people brief me on deadlines for projects that I know will be draining and demanding. Finally, I head home to people who rely on me to be present and fulfill my responsibilities, even when somedays all I want to do is check out.

“Surely Jesus felt that way when he hopped in his boat,” I wonder… But that’s not our Jesus. He didn’t tire of people.

For starters, he wanted to help everyone. Verse 15, right out of the gate, says, “…he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew makes a point to emphasize Jesus’ mission: helping people.

If Jesus served these exhaustive crowds, perhaps I also can try harder to tolerate my unruly fellow Houstonians on the road…and my ambitious colleagues at the office…and my all-consuming family at home.

Oof, but tolerance is not exactly hitting the mark. What’s missing in this equation is compassion.  By leading with compassion, situations and people who I find irritating suddenly turn into an opportunity for my faith to really show up. The driver distracted by their phone at a red light suddenly gives me a moment to practice forgiveness and empathy. And I can bask in gratitude that I get to work on a team that relentlessly serves our community. Through the  lens of Christ’s example, I recognize what a blessing it is to be surrounded by people invested in my well-being and create an environment of unconditional love.

…Wait a minute, am I supposed to love everyone?! But surely, I do not have the emotional capacity for that, right?!

Well, Jesus didn’t just select those he deemed most in need of service (or in my case, the marathoners); no, he still went back to give his all for people, even those less-than-worthy. In fact, verse 21 even says “five thousand men, besides women and children.” 

So why did Jesus spend what was left of the little energy—physically and mentally—he had?

Because it’s just fish.

Fish = having an ounce of patience with the person who wants to merge into your lane. Or humoring one more conversation with a coworker about an important task. Or embracing the differences that make up the beautiful mosaic of your family.

Loving people isn’t a chore. We live like Christ when we tap into his powerful love. Jesus readily gives his love to anyone and everyone. Love and loaves and fish. Surely, we can do the same.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for fish. Thank you for providing us with all we need to care for ourselves and others. Thank you for being our biggest cheerleader and greatest champion. Thank you for your wondrous mission to save us from our sins. Thank you. Amen.