Ready

I was reading through the Gospel of Matthew this week and was struck by something I had never noticed before.    As I read the account of the feeding of over 5,000 people in Matthew 14, I wondered why Jesus told the crowd to sit down before he multiplied the food that was given.  As I was reading today in Matthew 15 about the miracle for over 4,000, I noticed the same instruction.   Why did he tell them to sit down, and why was it important for the writer to mention it?  Then it hit me – maybe they had to be in a position to receive, in a position of readiness, in a position of expectation.  In other words, he wanted them to be ready for what they were about to receive, to be ready for the miracle.  

For those who regularly read my blog, you may remember that I have shared how I believe God has taught me or worked with me along particular themes during different seasons of my life (The Theme of Thankful – Life By The Way.)  Some of these themes have been – Create in me the Heart of a Worshipper – Sow Generously – Be a Servant.  I believe for this season, the theme is “Be Ready.”  The scripture tells us to always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks us to give a reason for the hope that is in us (1^st Peter 3:15).  I believe “Be Ready” has meaning in several areas – be ready to speak with kindness and truth, be ready to serve, be ready to pray, be ready to give and to receive, and finally be ready for his return. 

Another striking thing about both stories in Matthew is that Jesus asks the disciples for what they have, which in both cases was something so very small compared to the need – 5 loaves and 2 small fish in the first case, and 7 loaves and a few small fish in the second story.  What we have may seem like nothing, or may seem like everything, but he can take what we are ready and willing to give and make something beautiful out of it.  In His hands the weak are made strong, the sick are healed and the broken are made whole.   

Lord, we are waiting with expectation.  We are ready.

Amen