Written by Dynamis Ministries | November 3, 2022
It seems like it was only a short time ago when services like DoorDash and Uber Eats were nonexistent in our world. Now, many people use these services on a regular basis. Some of you might even be thinking that sounds like a great idea for your next meal! The food industry is a big part of our economy, generating one-fifth of the nation’s total GDP. And one of the fastest growing segments is food-delivery, more than doubling since the pandemic. It’s gone way beyond the days of pizza. Now, you can get nearly any food you desire delivered to your door. Yet food delivery is not a modern phenomenon, it goes way back, even to the days of Jesus. One day, he pulled the disciples into the food delivery business in a miraculous way.
We’re talking about one of the most famous miracles – the feeding of the 5,000. In fact, it’s one of only a few miracles recorded in all four gospels. The story is generosity based through the meal that Jesus offered. He multiplied five loaves of bread and two fish to feed over 5,000 men, and that’s not including the women and children! In doing so, Jesus generously met one of the most basic human needs to a mass of people – physical nourishment. This story points to the love and compassion Jesus has for people. It also demonstrates his power and goodness. Behind the scenes of what Jesus demonstrated is an important message about the role we play as Christ followers.
Through the miracle, Jesus modeled how the kingdom of God works. While it was Jesus who blessed and multiplied the bread and fish, it was his disciples that delivered the elements to the crowd. Likewise, as followers of Jesus we too are called to be deliverers of his generosity to the world. It’s our responsibility to look for those job orders that God gives us to deliver his provision to those in need. What better time to do this than now! As we approach the holiday season that centers on food, our awareness of food insecurity in the world should become more prominent.
Food insecurity is a big issue in our culture. Even those us of living in well-to-do neighborhoods may be surprised by how many people just miles, if not blocks, away are living with the burden and stress of not being able to maintain ample supply of groceries in their fridge and pantry. Thankfully, many churches, non-profits and individuals have seen this need and accepted the challenge to fill the void. Feeding people facing food insecurity is one of the most basic ways God can work through us to deliver his goodness and provision. We don’t have to look far to find food drives, homeless shelters, meal packaging events or food banks that we can serve with our time or donations. As we finish out the year, let’s not neglect helping deliver food to people in need. In doing so, we’ll be disciples in the delivery business!
Photo Credit: Jon Tyson
