The men felt the exhaustion closing in, but it waited on the edge of their excitement. Though night had fallen and they’d left the bustle of the crowd behind, the soft lap of waves against the wooden boat hull did little to calm their busy spirits.
They’d spent the afternoon stepping back in time, walking alongside prophet miracles and sitting at the feet of the Messiah—their friend, Jesus.
“Did you see people carrying food back home with them?” one man chuckled to himself, awe rising in his voice.
“And those that were carried, those who were ill, the mute and deaf from birth—none left with their ailments! He healed them all!” another half shouted-half laughed.
One man lay against the hard wood of the boat, clutching his abdomen, “I wish he were here now to heal my ailment,” he groaned, to the others’ laughter.
“I guess when Jesus said he’d make us ‘fishers of men’ he didn’t expect we’d be sea sick!” Simon Peter mused.
“Did you see the little boy again? The one who brought the little lunch basket?”
“No. I didn’t see him leave. Why?”
“It was like—he was—it’s like he was glowing. He was happy, yes. He was blessed to help feed the group. He probably felt special, yes, but he was glowing, like angels put the smile on his face and walked alongside him.”
“Wow.” Simon sighed and laid back against a sack of supplies.
Looking up at the sky, he settled into the silence of the night. The energy of the day had followed them onto the boat when Jesus urged them to leave him alone. It clung to them as they paddled through the water, singing and laughing together. It hummed between them as they each recalled the day in silence, seeing miracles in their minds, recalling their Teacher and His words.
What we often forget about this story is that it didn’t start with a miracle. It started with a tragedy.
John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus and mentor to many of Jesus’ disciples, had recently been killed.
They didn’t set out to perform miracles that day. In fact, Jesus had retreated for some time alone, but the mission followed Him.
Like Jesus, it is often our first inclination to retreat when faced with tragedy, trauma, and difficulty, but God can use even these moments to minister. Do you believe it?
Father in Heaven,
Our world is not okay. We have children murdering children, families broken and hurting, abuse of every kind in our communities, and vast divides from one person to another. We know it wasn’t meant to be this way, and only You can reconcile this world. We trust You to do it in Your time, but please show us how to do our part. Help us to show someone love who needs it, forgive where difficult, and share the free gift of salvation with others at every opportunity. Help us to not be spectators only, but hands and feet, carrying baskets of miracles to a crowd in need—just like the disciples.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read from the Gospel
