A Foretaste of the Feast to Come

Have you ever had to plan for a large family gathering? One of the challenges is preparing a menu that will satisfy everyone. And with preparing the menu comes the challenge of making sure there will be enough food. No one wants to run out.

This weekend, we'll hear about the one miracle of Jesus that is recorded in each of the four Gospel accounts: The feeding of the 5,000. You will recall that the disciples encouraged Jesus to send the vast crowd home because it was getting late. When Jesus told them to feed the crowd, they were incredulous. How were they supposed to take care of thousands with just a few fish and a couple of loaves of bread? But in Jesus' hands, the impossible became very possible.

I have heard some explain away the miracle by saying that people in the crowd actually did have food to share but were hiding it until the boy who offered his lunch of bread and fish shamed them into generosity. I have heard others say that each person took such a minuscule crumb of what was there that everyone tasted something. In both cases, not only is what is written totally ignored (such as everyone had enough to eat and there were twelve baskets of leftovers), but the power of God is limited -- a God who loves family gatherings and knows how to provide more than enough for everyone.

When you think about it, that's why Jesus came to be our Savior. He wants us to be in His family and ultimately enjoy the best family gathering ever imagined -- the wonder of being in the Father's House. And in preparing for that gathering, no expense was spared. Jesus offered His all on the cross.

But there is something else about preparing for family gatherings that I thoroughly enjoy -- sampling the food before everyone arrives. This weekend, we'll be celebrating the Lord's Supper where He gives us a foretaste of the feast to come. And as for worrying about sampling too much before all the guests arrive lest we run out, it isn't an issue.We have a very generous God who knows how to make what looks impossible very possible so we can enjoy the wonder of His forgiving love now as we look forward to being completely satisfied in the Father's House.