Five + Two + Jesus = Miracle
Scripture Reading — Luke 9:10-17
Looking up to heaven, he gave thanks …
Luke 9:16
I was catching the bus in Atlanta, and I thought I had the exact change to make my way downtown. I stepped in and dropped my change in the box, but came up short about fifty cents. I was out of coins to make up the difference. Before I could explain my way out, the driver waved me on, saying, “That’s your miracle for today.”
The bus driver was right. But, more important, the presence of Jesus is the miracle we miss when we think it’s up to us to make things happen.
The disciples had just returned from a mission on which they had done amazing things for the kingdom of God. They had healed diseases, driven out demons, and preached the message of Jesus with power. They were full of stories—and full of themselves. They had done all those miracles without the physical presence of Jesus.
Then, when the disciples saw that a huge crowd of people around them needed food, Jesus made a simple request: “You give them something to eat.” They quickly reduced the power of Jesus to mathematics: five loaves and two fishes equal starvation. But Jesus’ math worked this way: five + two + Jesus = miracle. Jesus took the gift of bread and fish and made a meal for everyone. He gave thanks to the Father, and he fed the people.
Jesus does this all the time. Give your meager resources to Jesus and let him work kingdom miracles.
Jesus, you are Lord of all things. Help me to trust you for all my needs and for the needs of others. Also work through me, as you will, to help meet others’ needs. In your name, Amen.
About the author — Reginald Smith
Dr. Reginald Smith is senior pastor at Roosevelt Park Community Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he has served for seventeen years. He has also served as a pastor in Paterson, New Jersey. He and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters, Janelle, Katrina, and Mariah.
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