Give me what you have
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Jesus Feeds the 5000 - John 6:1-14
That moment of gratitude is easy to miss, but it reveals something important about the way Jesus approaches the world. Instead of focusing on what is lacking, he begins with thanksgiving for what is present.
Only after that does he begin to share the bread.
We are not told exactly how the miracle unfolds. The gospel does not explain the mechanics of what happens next. What we see instead is a pattern that repeats itself throughout Jesus’ ministry: something is offered, it is blessed, and it is shared.
That pattern should sound familiar. It is the same rhythm we experience at the communion table - taking the bread, giving thanks, breaking it, and sharing it with others. In these moments we are reminded that God works through the ordinary acts of gratitude and generosity that shape our lives.
When we begin with thanksgiving, even small gifts can become vessels of grace. When we place what we have in Christ’s hands, it can be used in ways we could never accomplish alone.
Faith does not require us to understand every detail of how God works. It invites us simply to trust the hands that hold our offering.
Lord of gratitude, teach us to recognize the gifts already present in our lives. Help us offer them with thankful hearts and trust that you will use them for your purposes. Amen.
This piece is offered by Sterling United Methodist Church and was written in collaboration between Rev. Bert Cloud and Sharon Rosenfeld. It is inspired by the book Seven Miracles: Signs of Life in the Gospel of John by Gina Anderson-Cloud, Megan Dietrick, Bill Gray, Daniel Park, Isaiah Park & Lauren Todd