April 3, 2019
by Ralph Skinner

Luke 9:10-17

Today's Thoughts:  Five and Two  
 
Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to  heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude.   - Luke 9:16 
 
One day, a man was walking his dog and as he looked down at the ground, he saw a nickel and two pennies. At that moment, all he could think about was five and two. He picked them up and walked home. That evening, as he opened his Bible, the verses recounted the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand — with five loaves and two fish. He knew at that point that the Lord had a message for him personally, but what exactly was the Lord saying? 
  
Just recently, I was reading this story, and once again the numbers five and two jumped out. At lunch on that same day, someone left a nickel and two pennies on the table where I was eating. Okay, Lord, what does this mean? Well, the message began to unfold in my heart and mind as I continued to mediate on the Word of God. The disciples gave Jesus all that they had, which was not enough; two fish and five loaves could not feed five thousand men.  
 
But, Jesus took what they had and did three things with them. He looked up to heaven and blessed the loaves and fish; He broke them; and He gave them back to the disciples to hand out. The men did nothing with the fish and the bread but handed them to Jesus. Jesus performed the miracle. Not only did they have enough to eat, but also they had twelve baskets left over—one for each disciple. 
 
The nickel and the pennies reminded me that Jesus takes what seems so insufficient and works miracles in ways that I cannot. It is not up to me to make things work; God’s provision and grace are sufficient for every need. When I have less than enough, then God has an opportunity to be more than enough. When I hand my worries and difficulties over to God, God blesses, breaks and then hands back, in abundance. Isn't it interesting that when Jesus broke the bread, it multiplied?  We need to remember that sometimes when things seem to be breaking, maybe that is because Jesus is trying to bless and multiply God’s provisions for us.  Ask the Lord today to help you see His provision and grace – sufficient and multiplied over for every situation and need!! 
 
Prayer:  God of grace and mercy, we thank you always that you pursue us, relentlessly – even in the hours of our greatest uncertainty or greatest need.  You never give up on us.  You take the smallest portion, multiply it, and give it back in wonderful sufficiency!!  We love you, Lord.  In Jesus’s name we pray.  Amen.