Matthew 14: 13-21 (Common English Bible)
In the background of this reading, Matthew mentions the execution of John the Baptizer, the cousin of Jesus. By the order of Herod Antipas, John was ordered arrested and beheaded. John’s death by Herod anticipates Jesus’ own arrest and crucifixion by Pontius Pilate.
The story of the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew chapter 14, has Hebrew history written all over it. It takes us back to the books of Genesis and Exodus when similar miracles were written about. But I have to admit, it is easier for me to visualize Moses parting the Reed Sea and even Jesus emerging from his tomb than fish and bread materializing out of thin air. But I know many people are comfortable with the literal reading, and that is OK.
One thing to remember about this mass feeding is the importance of numbers and symbols. Those of you who were here a few weeks ago during the presentation of Fred Kelso might remember his lesson about the value of each letter in the ancient Hebrew alphabet. The supplies that Jesus used to feed the 5,000 suggest a symbol from Hebrew history. Jesus used five loaves, two fish and 12 baskets. The total number of fish and bread equals seven, representing the completeness of the creation of the earth in Genesis. The 12 baskets represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The feeding of the 5,000 is a parallel to the Exodus story when the manna fell from the heavens as Moses had told the liberated but hungry Hebrews in the wilderness. So you can see when Matthew composed his gospel around 80 AD, he was definitely writing to a Jewish audience. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus is the New Moses.
As we read about the miracle of feeding the 5,000, it does rank as one of the most beloved stories in the Bible. But if we only focus on what Jesus did to the bread and fish, we miss something. Last week’s gospel reading was much deeper than yeast or a mustard seed. It’s about the Good News that hungry people are being fed, both physically and spiritually.
Often Christians have taken to heart Jesus’ command of, “You give them something to eat!” In the era we live in facing a global food crisis because of climate change and war, perhaps it’s time for churches to have a “kairos” moment and embrace the Eucharist beyond any religious boundary, just as Jesus did the 5,000.
Jesus’ followers have long wondered what it means for Christians to view the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist as the meal that unites everyone to Christ’s table. The early church observed the Eucharist as a fellowship meal. In later years, house-churches expanded their dining areas, to accommodate more people, especially the poor. At the Apostle Paul’s urging, Communion was open for all, including gentiles and Jews. It really breaks my heart that many churches still practice closed-communion.
Perhaps one way to see this miracle of the feeding of the 5,000, is to see it as a sacrament much like the Eucharist. Those who were present received only the smallest morsel of food, similar to the elements used for the Eucharist. But despite all that, the people were strengthened when they heard the words of Jesus. So perhaps this wasn’t a meal where you stuff yourself to fill your physical appetite, but a meal where they consumed the spiritual food of Christ. Just like we’re going to do this Sunday.
Another idea is looking at a crowd that was hungry. Some had brought food, but not a lot. And some were kind of stingy in sharing it. Then Jesus took the lead and began to share what he and the disciples had in food. Then by Jesus’ example the people who came to hear him, started sharing their food with people who had none. And eventually everyone was fed. It was the miracle of the birth of love that triumphed over selfishness. If that is so, then in the most authentic sense, Christ fed them with himself and sent his Spirit to dwell within their hearts. It does not matter how we understand this miracle. But one thing is certain, Christ was present and hungry souls were fed.
We have a tendency to live with a mindset of fear and scarcity. We fear we do not have enough resources to feed the poor. But we always seem to have enough to feed a bloated military budget, don’t we? Public assistance for food for the poor doesn’t match that and private charity can only go so far. Many churches today are struggling. Food Banks are successful in small cities, but what about large cities like Louisville and Los Angeles? It takes an entire society to unite in a mission to end hunger here and abroad. Jesus offers a vision of an abundant life, the kingdom of sharing God’s resources in a good and healthy way even before we enter Heaven. As it has been said, “God created the earth for everyone’s needs, but not for anyone’s greed.”
AMEN
