Right here with us

Right here with us

Bible: Matthew 14 : 13 – 21

Reading

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered (V.17).

She was completely focused on a jar of pasta sauce on the top shelf. I’d walked past her on my way to another bit of the shop—and then stopped to see if she was alright. But she seemed totally unaware of me, lost in her own problem. Now I have no issue with reaching top shelves because I’m fairly tall. She, on the other hand, was not tall, not at all. I spoke up and offered to help. She jumped with shock and said: “Goodness, I didn’t even see you standing there. Yes, please help me.” Jesus’ friends had a huge problem on their hands—hungry crowds, a
desert-like place and night drawing in—“It’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food” (MATTHEW 14:15). When challenged by Jesus to take care of the people themselves, they answered, “We have here only . . .” (V.17). All they seemed to see was what they didn’t have. Yet standing right beside them was Jesus, not just able to make bread from nothing, but the Bread of Life Himself. Jesus fed that huge crowd with just one packed lunch (VV.19-20). We can get so wrapped up in our challenges and trying to figure them out for ourselves that we miss Jesus, standing right next to us. From deserts to shop aisles and everywhere else in between, He is “Immanuel (which means ‘God with us’)” (1:23); an ever-present help in trouble.

WHEREVER WE ARE AND WHATEVER THE

CHALLENGE, IMMANUEL IS RIGHT HERE WITH US.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries