March 22 - More Compassion

Matthew 14:13-22 

When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” There were five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus blessed the food and five thousand men, plus women and children, were fed. Then He sent the multitude away.

Imagine reading the newspaper headlines the next day: FIVE LOAVES OF BREAD AND TWO FISH FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND MEN. Then the story follows: Five thousand men and their families picnicked on a grassy hillside near the Sea of Galilee. The food, bread and fish, was miraculously provided at suppertime for everyone by the local iterant storyteller and healer, Jesus of Nazareth. It seems that among all those people there were only five loaves of bread and two fish.  How can a supper for two people feed about 15,000 people?  It truly was a miracle, just like the healing of the sick that occurred earlier in the day. This Jesus is a man of compassion.

Jesus tried to find a quiet place to Himself, possibly to mourn the loss of His cousin John the Baptist (Matt 14:1-12), but people followed Him. He had compassion on those people, healing the sick…and then feeding them. Wow---five thousand men---and then add on the women and children. It could have been fifteen thousand people, or more. That’s enough to fill the Seattle Key Arena! Note that He gave Thanks, looking up toward heaven. He knew where the power came from---The Heavenly Father. What a banquet of fish and bread---a great feast with the King!  The disciples gathered up the leftovers and filled twelve baskets. One for each disciple---that showed each of them the power and compassion of the Messiah. Jesus just keeps on giving---and then He sent them away. We should model our compassion after His---keep on giving.

             60 Minute Yeast Rolls

2 pkgs. active dry yeast
3 Tbsp. sugar or honey
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. powdered milk (optional)
1 1/2 c. hot tap water

2 Tbsp softened butter, at room temperature
4 to 4 1/2 c. unsifted flour (half wheat and half white)

Thoroughly mix 1 cup flour and dry ingredients. Gradually add water and butter to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Add remaining flour and beat to make soft dough. Place in greased bowl, cover and rise 15 minutes. Turn out onto floured board. Knead about 5 minutes, until not sticky. Shape dough and place on greased baking sheet Cover and let rise again for about 15 minutes. Bake 400 degree oven about 12 minutes (depends on the size of the rolls). Makes 16-20 rolls.

I have a couple of rolls and some fish…please use these Lord to feed Your followers.

© 2011 by Mickey M. Hunacek.  All rights reserved.