The big feast (Free lunch - there's no such thing!)

Bible passage: Luke 9:10-15

Introduction/summary

Caleb sees one of his fish being turned into lunch for 5000 hungry people. He sees what amazing things can happen if we think of others and share.

Main story

As morning broke over lake Galilee, Caleb sailed back across to his boatyard and unloaded his catch. It hadn't been a bad night, and it was taking him quite a while to move the crates of fresh fish onto the beach. Just as the fisherman was carrying one particularly heavy box of trout, he heard the excited cry of Josiah, one of the boys from the village.

"Mr Caleb, Mr Caleb, guess what I'm doing today?" There were many things that Josiah got excited about, but Caleb had never seen him bubbling with enthusiasm in quite this way. "I'm going to see Jesus. Jesus is coming to town and I'm going to see him. Mum has sent me down here to buy some fish from you so I can stay there all day and won't get hungry!"

Caleb picked out a couple of the best small fish in the catch, and passed them to Josiah in exchange for a two-shekel coin. After explaining to Josiah that he needed some sleep and sending him on his way, Caleb tidied his nets and went home to bed.

It was mid afternoon when Caleb next opened his eyes. The sun was scorching and he was glad to have been in a shady place during the hottest part of the day. The village was unusually quiet which meant only one thing - Jesus was still talking. Caleb had a few hours before he needed to go back to the boatyard, so he decided to go and see what was going on.

By the time he finally reached the spot where Jesus was speaking, Caleb realised he had forgotten to eat breakfast. He settled down on the grass next to a friend. "Afternoon Abel" Caleb whispered to the man sitting to his left. "Hello Caleb." He replied. "You've missed a good one today. Jesus has been amazing. He knows so much about God you know." Caleb's stomach rumbled. "Are you hungry too" said Abel. "I'm afraid everyone ran out of food hours ago."

Just then there was a stirring from the front of the crowd as a small boy got up and made his way through to Jesus. It was Josiah, the child Caleb had seen that morning. Caleb squinted in the early evening light to see some bread and two small fish being taken out Josiah's bag, and handed to Jesus. "Those are my fish!" exclaimed Caleb "I caught those last night, but I never thought they'd be Jesus' supper."

Caleb and his friend were too far back to hear very well, but you didn't need ears to see what happened next! Jesus held the food up to heaven and prayed. Then Caleb watched in amazement as Jesus broke a piece off the fish and passed it to one of his disciples. Then another piece was broken off, and another. The fish didn't look like it was getting smaller! "Must be a trick of the eyes." Whispered Abel. "The light can do funny things at this time of day." Caleb didn't answer, he was too busy watching. Jesus moved on to the bread. Again it was broken, and passed to the disciples. "They're passing the food round Abel" Caleb said quietly.

"It's a shame we're sitting at the back. It'll be gone once it gets passed the first row" Abel replied with a snigger, "Even if it does get to the second row, Big John is sitting there and you know how he likes his food!" The pair chuckled together. "You know Abel, that fish is still not getting any smaller." Said Caleb as more and more people began eating the food. "I'm not sure if this is a trick of the light any more. Jesus has been tearing up that food for a good fifteen minutes, and Big John's even full now. Now I'm not normally one for talking about miracles, but you've got to admit Abel my friend, this doesn't happen everyday. Jesus is really starting to make me wonder."

As Caleb finished talking, a piece of bread and some juicy trout were pressed into his hands. This was no time for words, only for a big smile as his stomach went from empty to full, and the food kept on coming. The sun slowly edged its way behind the mountains as the crowds dispersed and leftover food was gathered up. Caleb made his way back to the beach and packed his boat, ready for another night's fishing.

Needless to say, that night his mind was not on the job. Lots of questions were running through his mind. Who was this Jesus? How did he get this ability to control even the amount of food on a fish? Will amazing things happen if I start sharing more? And... If he doesn't choose something else to do miracles on soon, will I be out of a job?

Prayer

Dear God,

Just as the boy in the story shared his food with Jesus, help us to think about the needs of others. Maybe as we share with others, amazing things will happen.