Daily Prayer 1.30.14 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. – Luke 6:38 The students in my older-elementary Bible class listened in rapt attention as I told them the story of Jesus’ great miracle on the mountainside. I tried as best I could to paint the picture: Jesus had been pursued to this place on the far side of the Sea of Galilee by a throng of over 5,000 people, some desperate, some merely curious, but all anticipating more wonder-works from the man they suspected might truly be God incarnate. As the group settles on the grass before Him, Jesus surveys them with a steely but compassionate eye and, knowing they are hungry, borrows five loaves of barley bread and two fishes from a from a young boy. In full view of the mighty crowd, Jesus lifts the loaves and fishes high above His head in a gesture of thanksgiving and supplication, then hands the food to those who are closest to Him. But the recipients do not eat, not immediately. Instead they pass the gifts back to the people sitting behind them, who in turn also pass them back, and so it goes until the food reaches the people furthest away from Jesus. But miraculously, whenever the “passer” turns again towards Jesus there is more food to receive, and pass on. Finally, everyone’s hands are full and all are fed to the max—so much so that there are leftovers to the tune of twelve basketsful. The spirit on the mountainside is exultant, a celebration of abundance and unlimited supply that continues as long as the people in front empty their hands to benefit the people behind them. As I finished the story, one fourth grader remarked that it took faith to pass the food on instead of eating it, but their reward was more and more and more… This same Jesus, on another mountainside, guided His hearers and us to consider the abundant grace of God’s good will, forgiveness and mercy that is poured out to everyone whose heart is prepared to be likewise emptied to the benefit of those behind, in front, and all around us. The faster we are to give grace the faster our hearts are replenished and filled again by the Author of all grace, as we turn back to Him for more. His love, like the loaves and fishes, is inexhaustible, and the wellspring of His goodness is bottomless and wide for those who have the faith to give, measure for measure, for His pleasure, in His perfect name. Good morning, all! Please pray today for: Christine in praise for answered prayer; her interview and video release was picked up by the Huffington Post.* Jim Frangipane’s mom Irene, who fell and broke her wrist. Lorraine’s cousin Dora, whose daughter passed away this week. Please pray God’s comfort for the whole family. Debbie, who needs a great miracle on the employment front this week. Jean, who is still at Fireside while the family works out a way that she can return home. John Johansen, who is in the VA Hospital today with back problems. “Father of all, today I will look for ways to distribute grace to all, even to those who are strangers, those who I know but with whom I disagree, even those who I know wish me ill. As You indiscriminately give, let it be so with me, and so let me be doubly filled. Lead the way, Jesus, and I will follow. Amen.”
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 05:51:58 +0000
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