How Far Will They Go Among So Many?

Address by Jonathan Reckford, CEO, Habitat for Humanity International
Delivered to the Biennial U.S. Affiliates Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, January 23 2009

We all remember the story of how Jesus fed over five thousand people with just five loaves and two fish.

We should remember it. It's the only miracle story, apart from the ressurection itself, to appear in all four Gospels. Obviously, this story made a deep impression on the Gospel writers, just as it has resonated among Christians ever since.

The different Gospel accounts agree on the main details. Jesus and his disciples needed a break. They had withdrawn to a remote place to rest. Despite their efforts to keep a low profile, they were recognised. A crowd of over five thousand men, women and children had gathered and followed them.

So Jesus preached to this multitude and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples urged Jesus to dismiss the people so this vast assembly could find food. But Jesus replied, 'You give them something to eat.'

Can't you just imagine how the disciples must have felt? 'Really, Master - it's late in the day. We're supposed to be here for a rest. Have a little compassion on us as well as this crowd. We're tired and hungry, too. And we don't even have enough to feed ouselves. We have five loaves - five small barley loaves at that - and two little fish.' They asked Jesus: 'How far will they go among so many?'

That is the question I want us to ponder this morning: 'How far will our resources go among so many?'