JESUS FEEDS THE MULTITUDES(lLuke 9)

I am always curious how Jesus fed the multitudes. I now think the way is not as important as the faith that we must have in Jesus-God our provider. After all, God is our Creator, He is creative in the ways He feeds those who trust in Him.

This is a story of George Muller, who was very concerned about the destitute children in the Bristol area of England in the nineteenth century. His concern prompted him to found a series of orphanages which were run on a shoe-string budget. But George Muller had resolved never to purchase anything unless cash was available to complete the transaction. (Food for thought:do not buy on credit with our cards because we don't know when the Lord will take us, thus rendering the debt unpaid!)

One day to his horror he realised that no money meant no bread for his three hundred orphans. That night, instead of going to bed, he stayed awake to pray. He reminded God that these were His orphans, that this work was His work and that the honour of His name was at stake. He begged God to prove afresh His faithfulness.

Next morning he came down to the refectory to find that the tables were laid as usual but the bread-plates were empty. Nevertheless, watched by three hundred hungry-eyed children, he said grace thanking God for the food they were about to receive. The children were about to sit down to face a row of empty plates when the sound of cart-wheels on the gravel drive drew every eye to the window. This noise heralded the arrival of the local baker who had felt compelled that night to bake an extra batch of loaves and to bring them as a gift to 'Mr Muller's children' before he began his morning rounds. With a flurry of excitement the cart was unloaded, the hungry children were fed, and trust in George Muller's never-failing God soared!