Christ is not Our Wal-Mart

The feeding of the 5000 is one of the most famous miracles in Jesus' ministry. Even people who know very little about the Bible are often familiar with this incredible event in Jesus' ministry. But what really captures my attention is not so much the miracle of the loaves and fishes itself; it's not the total lack of understanding or faith by the disciples; it's not even that there were twelve full baskets of leftovers. Despite the incredible miracle itself, what I find absolutely astounding is the sudden popularity of Jesus. Five thousand people chace him around the Sea of Galilee! That is no easy feat, especially given the rocky shores and beaches that surround the large sea.

Yet despite his sudden popularitity, Jesus remains humble and true to his salvific mission. Jesus has not forgotten the temptaions he experinced in his 40 day isolation in the desert. He has not forgotten the Devil's attempt to get him to turn stones into bread or bow down to him in order to receive all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus does not let his sudden popularity derail him from his ministry. He recognizes the subtle work of the devil proding his ego.

Jesus also recocgnizes too that when we accept the popularity offered by the crowd that they suddenly have power over him. Why? Because we want to maintain that popularity and not let anyone down. We become people pleasers!

So the bottom line for you and me is we are like the 5000. We want Jesus because what he can do for us, not what we can do to further his Kingdom on earth. Our prayers take on the self-centered concerns of feed me; heal me; help me; give me - or - I need; I want I ask, etc... Do these phrases sound familiar? They should, because if you are like me they often consume our prayers.

The question I ask us to reflect on is simply this: Has our consumer driven economy and culture taught us to approach God as consumers rather than followers? Has God become just another resource or option to serve as one giant "super saver" Store? God is not our Wal-Mart!

the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 demonstrates Jesus' humility and his call to us to remember that he is the true bread of life. We need him to fill our lives.