“On their return the apostles told Jesus all they had done. He took them with him and withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. When the crowds found out about it, they followed him; and he welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of G-d, and healed those who needed to be cured. The day was drawing to a close, and the twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a deserted place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” They did so and made them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And all ate and were filled. What was left over was gathered up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.” (Luke 9:10-17)

“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.” (C.S. Lewis)

I wonder how long the journey was for the disciples who have been sent out by Jesus. From the perspective of the Gospel, it must have lasted for many weeks – but for us, the readers, it lasts for just a short time. And, I wonder how successful they were in their ministry? The text tells us that they told Jesus everything that they had done, but we have no idea what they did except for healing some diseases. Nevertheless, the crowds continue to follow Jesus and the disciples and the miracles and the healing continues.  However, in the very next scene, Jesus gives the disciples another opportunity to do marvelous things, but it seems their humanity gets in the way. When asked to feed the multitude of people, 5000 in all, they seem to have forgotten their power and authority that Jesus has commissioned them with. 

We cannot forget the power of the Holy Spirit and the work that can be done when life gets us down or gets in the way. Jesus is always there, in the background of our lives, giving us the Spirit to empower us with the ability to work our own wonders and miracles. Miracles still happen today, I firmly believe that. And the only way they might even have a chance is if we continue doing the work of Jesus, in the name and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Dave