Isaiah 55:1-5; Romans 9:1-13; Matthew 14:13-21

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

One of the few things I watch on TV anymore are the cooking shows and challenges. I’m fascinated by the skill of these chefs and how quickly they can construct a menu and plate in their head. But so often when I’m watching, I don’t find the finished dishes to look appetizing. There’s a point for me where gourmet is too gourmet. I’d much rather have a basket of chicken tenders and fries, than fresh caviar. 

When it comes to food, there’s plenty of room for personal taste. However, when it comes to hunger, really any food will do. So long as I have food to eat and something to drink, I won’t complain (too much!) about what is set in front of me. For hunger to be satisfied, all it needs is food to eat. The type of food is unimportant.

For in our Gospel lesson this week, there’s a comparison being drawn between two different feasts. Just prior to the feeding of the five thousand is a feast in the halls of King Herod. Herod was celebrating his birthday with a grand feast. One can only imagine how exquisite the food and drink would have been. The best of the best would be reserved for a king. As the king and his company were enjoying their food, Herod makes a promise to his niece/step-daughter to give her anything which she requests. It’s then that she asks for the head of John the Baptist. A feast meant for celebration ends with death.

When Jesus heard about John’s death, he withdrew to a desolate place for some peace and solitude. Yet, the crowds had followed Jesus. They stayed with him all day as he healed their sickness and cared for all around. But the crowd, having been present for the better part of a day, now grew hungry. So, the disciples pleaded with Jesus, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves,” Matthew 14:15. With little food available, it seemed impossible to feed the crowd, let alone give them a decent meal.

It was Jesus’ compassion that cared for the needs of this crowd, just as it was his compassion that provided a miraculous feast. Indeed, this feast was nothing gourmet like the feast of Herod. It was simply five loaves and two fish. Yet, “They all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over,” Matthew 14:20. Even in these simple means, Jesus provides far more than food. He provides life, even life eternal! This meal was just a glimpse of what the heavenly banquet would be, one where all would come and be satisfied. For it would be Jesus’ compassion that would satisfy not just the hunger of body, but of body and soul. Jesus would go to the cross to shed his body and blood for a new feast. There, also, he would take bread, bless it, break it, and give that all may eat of it and receive forgiveness, life, and salvation! Even still, Jesus brings us to his table that he may feed us the food of immortality… his own body and blood shed upon the cross!

Pastor Sorenson

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, though we do not deserve Your goodness, still You provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may acknowledge Your gifts, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!