Jesus' Life-giving Feast

Taking the five loaves and the two fish,

 he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves,

 and gave them to the disciples, 

and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 

And all ate and were filled

(from Mt.14:13-21)

Hedding United Methodist Church in Barre, Vt. recently remodeled its kitchen enabling them to host and feed anyone coming to their "community dinners".

Their mission of "Feeding the community: body and soul" is lived out with a nutritious, hot meal as well as musical entertainment.

Understanding the significance of their mission is best grasped knowing Barre's context.

Barre is a diverse city economically and culturally including the affluent, working class, and destitute. 

Understanding Matthew's story of Jesus feeding the 5000 also requires understanding the setting and context.

Before Jesus feeds the 5000, Herod is hosting a birthday party including elite, powerful attending.

At this event, one of the powerful demands the head of John the Baptizer served on a platter, and receives it.

First, the Roman Empire in Jesus time had significant inequalities involving food availability.

Lack of food meant people struggled daily, otherwise poor nutrition experienced sickness and disease.

Second, the bible clearly says God’s will is that hungry people are be fed as happened in Exodus (see Exodus 16).  

Third, people expected God’s empire to have of abundant food and feasting for all.

With these contexts, Jesus heads to a deserted place followed by a crowd needing to be fed.

Jesus sends the disciples into town to find food and they return with 5 loaves and two fish.

Jesus hosts this meal by blessing the food and distributes it to the crowd.

Jesus hosts a life-giving feast enacting God’s will of feeding hungry people anticipating the food abundance described by Exodus and Isaiah. 

The context of the 21st Century is one of great diversity resulting in economic and social injustice. 

Today, gathering at the Lord's table, Jesus hosts a life-giving feast reminding us of the abundance of hope, love, and justice in the age to come.

What do you think: What physical or spiritual need do you feel is greatest?