Pentecost Week Thirteen -

New Testament: Luke 9:14-16
Old Testament: 1 Kings 17:14-16

Thursday: Trusting God’s Multiplication

A little shorter today – I want to jump into the meat (see what I did there) of what is happening.

Historical Context:
To fully grasp the significance of Jesus’ miracle, it’s important to understand how it echoed the stories of God’s provision in the Old Testament. One story might come to mind for the disciples -  1 Kings 17:14-16.
 
(Side note – I wrote a sermon for this text last year, but for some reason that I  do not remember why, I never got to preach it. – I love this story!)

Here it the story again - In a time of devastating famine, the prophet Elijah was sent by God to the town of Zarephath, where he encountered a widow gathering sticks to prepare what she believed would be her final meal.

She had only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug—barely enough to make one last loaf of bread for herself and her son before they succumbed to starvation. When Elijah asked her to make bread for him first, it must have seemed like an impossible request.

She was already facing scarcity and despair, and now she was being asked to give away what little she had left.

(Another side note – someone told me today about some people in the congregation paying money they could not afford to the Society for St. Stephen’s fund – because they want to help!  - File that under modern context.)

We continue - Elijah brought a promise from God: “The jar of flour will not be used up, and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.”

The widow, in an extraordinary act of trust, obeyed. She gave what little she had, and God kept His promise. Her jar of flour and jug of oil never ran out, providing enough food for her, her son, and Elijah for many days.

Here is the point of retelling this - This story of miraculous provision would have been deeply familiar to the disciples. It was a story they had grown up hearing, a reminder of God’s faithfulness to provide in times of need.

But what happened yesterday?  They wanted to send the people away.
 
When Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, blessed them, and distributed them to the crowd, He was doing more than meeting their physical hunger.  – AND THIS IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS STORY!

Jesus was inviting His disciples—and the gathered crowd—to recognize Him as the same God who provided for the widow.

Jesus wasn’t just a prophet like Elijah; He was the very source of life itself, the Bread of Life.

By multiplying the loaves and fish, He was giving them a glimpse of the abundance of His kingdom, where no need is too great for Him to meet.

What’s striking about both stories is that God’s provision begins with a small act of faith.

The widow’s willingness to share her last meal, and the disciples’ obedience in offering up what seemed like an insignificant amount of food, became the starting point for miracles.

These acts of faith remind us that God often works through what we are willing to give, no matter how small or inadequate it seems.

Modern Application:
I wont spend much time here – see above. But it always amazes me when so many Christians forget the stories of the bible – as if – that happened to those people – not me.  

What do I tell you every week? Find yourself in scripture!

The truth of these stories is as relevant today as it was then.
We live in a world that often tells us to focus on what we lack: not enough time, not enough resources, not enough strength.

But God calls us to see things differently. He asks us to bring what we have, however small it may seem, and trust Him to multiply it.

Whether it’s our time, talents, or resources, what matters most is the act of surrender—placing what we have in His hands and believing that He can use it to

Reflection
When has something small in your life—an act of kindness, a word of encouragement, a step of faith—had a much bigger impact than you expected?

Dwell on that today – remember how you responded.  Did you see God in that moment?

Prayer:
Lord, You are the God of abundance, the One who takes what little we have and multiplies it for Your glory.
Help me to trust in Your provision, even when I feel inadequate.
Teach me to surrender my time, my gifts, and my resources to You, knowing that in Your hands, even the smallest offering can bring about great things.
Thank You for being faithful to provide, just as You did for the widow and for the thousands who were fed by Your hand.
Amen.