by Ricky Doc Sauceda
During the month of July, a guest pastor spoke of the 'Feeding of 5,000' (Matthew 14:13-21) to my church. Not only was the homily (sermon) long but it was aimless and weak. In that homily he reduced the miracle of the feeding to a simplified explanation that astonished me in a bad way. He said,"The people brought their lunches with them in those days because they knew their rabbis were 'long winded.' They usually took enough for themselves to eat, but those stingy people shared their lunches on that day."
I have been concerned since that day about any leader who is misguided that would deliver pointless sermons, just to fill in the time given for that purpose. This is a time that people need to hear good words and inspiring messages, not tripe. I was shocked and disappointed in that lifeless and faithless speech.
To make the miracles of the Lord seem routine and explainable is harmful and sinful. The Lord gave me a message to be shared in this story with you. He wants us to know that we need to have good faith in Him, and not doubt His capabilities. There is an older story that contrasts this one. Something that has nothing to do with long sermons in fields with a crowd of people. You simply must accept God can do anything.
The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1Kings 17:7-24) has an equally awesome display of God's power. She is down to her last handful of flour and a little bit of oil in a jug and Elijah asks for her to make him a small cake of bread. For the length of time Elijah stayed with her the flour and oil never ran out. There was enough for Elijah, the woman and her family. What would that guest pastor have to say on this story I wonder?
1 Kings 17:24 - Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth.”
We need to have trust and hope in a miraculous and all-powerful God. We need to BELIEVE. Amen.