Just a Kid on the Hillside #T

       We have looked at the teleportation of the boat and crew after the men took the Master into the vessel. We scarcely touched on the earlier account in the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, as the Feeding of the Multitude has been studied and rehearsed for us since our childhood. 

     Now, though, let us explore a detail we tend to sail past, giving little thought to.it.  Who was the source of the loaves and fishes? Scripture says Andrew told Jesus there is a boy here with five barley loaves and two small fish. Next thing we know, Jesus blesses the food and breaks it into pieces, tells the disciples to distribute it to the crowd,

Back up. Earlier that day, the boy, most certainly twelve or thirteen, perhaps a year or two older, the boy whose father tells him he surely has a hollow leg, for otherwise where does he put it all? (At table.)

This transpires.  Boy says, Ma, this Jesus is coming up the hill with a huge mob of people. I want to go see what it is all about.  Mother replies, Fine. Just be home before the streetlights come on. But Ma, I'll need something to eat. Can you fix me something? Mom tells him, It's already fixed. There are a couple little fish left from last night's dinner, and there is a package of brioche rolls in the pantry.  Aw, Ma! And she replies, eat that or go hungry, your choice.

So, now the lad is on the hillside with several thousand other people NONE OF WHOM thought to provide nourishment for themselves. Then Jesus comes.  Hi, kid, he says. Heard you've brought your lunch. What is the boy to do? One can only imagine what goes through his mind, and let's leave the conversation and exchange to our imagination as well. What we do know is Jesus took the grub, offered thanks for it, and fed the entire multitude, having the apostles pick up huge quantities of leftovers after everyone's hunger had been assuaged. So, to my way of thinking Jesus and the lad, not even accorded a name in the account, fed the crowd.

     Wait, you say. Jesus could have fed everyone had no one brought food. Fed them what? I, for one, am a believer that God created everything ex nihilo but, in the instance, Jesus needed material with which to work. Yep, he may well have planted the seed of lunch necessities in the mind of the child, but still, they fed the hungry crowd.

To this day, Jesus requires us to share our goods with the needy. Follow His lead, turn your all over to Him and He will multiply it to abundance. Never mind that you might receive no plaudits or adulation for your selfless behavior. After all, it is The Master who provides all good things.