Leftovers!!!
www.moravian.org/daily_texts/
Readings for Today: (go to www.biblegateway.com to access online.)
Psalm 22:29-31:
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Genesis 41:28-40
28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God? 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Matthew 14:15-24
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
The bible tells us that in heaven there will be a feast, a rich banquet awaiting the saints of God who serve him in this life. Psalm 22:29 reminds us the “The rich will feast and worship Him.” Verse 26 says also, “The poor will eat and be satisfied.” So we know in heaven there will be complete equity and there will be no rich or poor, but all will feast and worship. These are the only two things we know for sure we will be doing in heaven for a long time!
The next two readings also deal with food and provision. In the story of Joseph and Pharaoh, Joseph interprets the dreams about the scrawny and fat cows, and warns Pharaoh about the impending famine. Pharaoh recognizes that this kind of wisdom can only come from God, and promotes Joseph to have authority over everything except his throne. How is that for a promotion from prison! Joseph has learned how to move from the center of the universe and given God the throne, now God can use Joseph mightily. Joseph now has the King’s signet ring, the robe of fine linen, and the gold bling around his neck. Wow! What a transformation for the 11th son of Jacob. He is now riding in a chariot and the people are saying “Make way!” God has made a big way for Joseph to walk in His promises.
Finally, we have our gospel verse for today. We see too the theme of food and/or a lack thereof. The people who have been following Jesus, remember they were on foot all day, were hungry and the disciples are tired and hungry themselves. They think it is time for a break. But Jesus knows their ministry to the crowds is not finished yet. And this is a teachable moment to teach the disciples about God’s provision. So he says something to the
disciples I’m sure they were not to glad to hear, “You give them something to eat!”
The disciples murmur, “But we only have five loaves and two fish!” Jesus says, “Give them to me.” And then as he breaks bread and gives thanks, there is enough to go around for everyone and then some! This is the line we can’t miss, “There were 12 baskets full of leftovers!” Though there is nothing left in the tank and not much physical food either, God provides and does so abundantly!
Where are you lacking God’s provision? God says two things to us today! One, be like Joseph and save up during the years of prosperity so that when times of famine come you will not be left empty handed. (Yes the rainy day savings fund was invented in the bible!) Second, when you are out of gas and there is a clear need, give what you have and God will do the rest. There will be time for rest when God is done. At the end of the day we see Jesus going to the refueling station, as he dismisses the crowds and disciples to be with God alone.
Father God, we worship the beauty of your holiness. May our love and service to you be honorable as we spend time in your presence. Amen.
Readings for Today: (go to www.biblegateway.com to access online.)
Psalm 22:29-31:
29 All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
30 Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
31 They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!
Genesis 41:28-40
28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. 35 They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. 36 This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”37 The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God? 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”
Matthew 14:15-24
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” 16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
The bible tells us that in heaven there will be a feast, a rich banquet awaiting the saints of God who serve him in this life. Psalm 22:29 reminds us the “The rich will feast and worship Him.” Verse 26 says also, “The poor will eat and be satisfied.” So we know in heaven there will be complete equity and there will be no rich or poor, but all will feast and worship. These are the only two things we know for sure we will be doing in heaven for a long time!
The next two readings also deal with food and provision. In the story of Joseph and Pharaoh, Joseph interprets the dreams about the scrawny and fat cows, and warns Pharaoh about the impending famine. Pharaoh recognizes that this kind of wisdom can only come from God, and promotes Joseph to have authority over everything except his throne. How is that for a promotion from prison! Joseph has learned how to move from the center of the universe and given God the throne, now God can use Joseph mightily. Joseph now has the King’s signet ring, the robe of fine linen, and the gold bling around his neck. Wow! What a transformation for the 11th son of Jacob. He is now riding in a chariot and the people are saying “Make way!” God has made a big way for Joseph to walk in His promises.
Finally, we have our gospel verse for today. We see too the theme of food and/or a lack thereof. The people who have been following Jesus, remember they were on foot all day, were hungry and the disciples are tired and hungry themselves. They think it is time for a break. But Jesus knows their ministry to the crowds is not finished yet. And this is a teachable moment to teach the disciples about God’s provision. So he says something to the
disciples I’m sure they were not to glad to hear, “You give them something to eat!”
The disciples murmur, “But we only have five loaves and two fish!” Jesus says, “Give them to me.” And then as he breaks bread and gives thanks, there is enough to go around for everyone and then some! This is the line we can’t miss, “There were 12 baskets full of leftovers!” Though there is nothing left in the tank and not much physical food either, God provides and does so abundantly!
Where are you lacking God’s provision? God says two things to us today! One, be like Joseph and save up during the years of prosperity so that when times of famine come you will not be left empty handed. (Yes the rainy day savings fund was invented in the bible!) Second, when you are out of gas and there is a clear need, give what you have and God will do the rest. There will be time for rest when God is done. At the end of the day we see Jesus going to the refueling station, as he dismisses the crowds and disciples to be with God alone.
Father God, we worship the beauty of your holiness. May our love and service to you be honorable as we spend time in your presence. Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment