January 10 Those Who Were Seated

John 6:11-13 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
 
NOTE John writes that Jesus “distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted”? How do we understand this phrase? Were some unwilling to join with Jesus, his disciples and the eager crowd to experience God’s provision? Perhaps some said, “I’m not hungry.” Or maybe they thought, “I’ll wait to see if everyone else has enough.” Possibly the phrase is an affirmation that all the 5,000 men (plus women and children) were seated in expectation of needed food.
   How about you? Are you eager, even hungry to approach God’s invitation to sit down and feast on His Word? Do you sometimes stand back because you’re not hungry now? Or might you first want to discover if the Bible’s teachings nourish others? Do you wonder if the Living Word really is enough to help you “today”?
   Or are you eager to sit down and be filled? Do you believe the Lord’s Word is abundant for your life to nourish you in all circumstances? Can you trust your appetite will be satisfied when you sit down with Jesus?
   This is my prayer for you. I pray you will hunger for his Word. You will receive what he serves you through the Bible, your prayers and your experiences with him. I pray you will help the church set a welcoming table to care for many who are hungry all that is good in God’s name. I pray that together you will receive what the Lord delivers to you.  
   Too many times we prefer to stand back and defer the Lord’s offerings. “Is this what I need?” we ask. We forget we may have an appetite for something that will harm us. Let’s steadfastly believe, though, the Holy God knows exactly what to feed us each day. Let’s faithfully pray, “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11) to know the Lord will feed what is good and nourishing for us.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Father, you have set the table with the right food to nourish my soul this day. Amen.