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Mad Juggling Skills

No bread? No problem. I recently revisited the story of Jesus playing the role of Bread Boss and feeding thousands. It's really quite an amazing story as you consider not only the miracle but the marketing. This is a whole lotta people seeing Jesus work His wonders.

But there are questions that surround this story. I get that Jesus has compassion and wanted to do a nice thing. But how is that so many people went to remote area with no plan for lunch. My wife and I barely cross the street with our kids without plans and supplies for keeping them busy, fed and hydrated. The fact that so many came so unprepared is a bit surprising.

Now on to the miracle itself.

I think many people think the bread just kept coming out of the basket. But not me. I imagine there was some sort of juggling of the dough in the air and every time Jesus passed another loaf to a disciple, another ball of dough appeared in the air. I believe Jesus was a showman and may have even tossed a few loaves behind His back before passing them out to be eaten.

Oh, and why were there 12 baskets in an area where no one brought any lunch? Seriously, did Jesus weave those baskets while the people ate? Why would someone bring an empty basket with them to hear Jesus preach? Was it like a ministry convention where sponsors of the event hand out brochures and free gifts?

Wasn't there anyone watching Jesus as He passed out the bread? Just watching to see where the bread was coming from? Perhaps even a young boy, not hungry enough to eat, but mesmerized as bread simply appeared? Was there a second bread-maker on the grassy knoll? I'd love to have been there for some post-miracle interviews.

Wow, look at that. I've pondered all this and haven't even done that go-to pastor move of spiritualizing a truth for you today. I guess sometimes I just like to imagine what it would have been like to have been there. I wonder if anyone will ever do that with my life.
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Comments

Jo said…
Wow, I've heard the story so many times but never once stopped to think about that. It makes me wonder why we're so quick to dissect a story but reluctant to simply sit back...and marvel at it all. Thanks for the insight!
November 19, 2010 at 2:50 PM
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