Bring Them to Me

You’ve probably said these words, in some form, to your kids when they needed something to be fixed, or to an employee or coworker when they needed assistance with a project.  It’s a command that displays confidence, strength, or assurance.  “Do you need help with that?  Bring it here to me.”

The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is a familiar one.  After Jesus heard the news of the execution of John the Baptist, he withdrew in a boat to a desolate place to be alone.  But the crowds followed him on foot, and when he went ashore, he saw a great crowd and had compassion on them and healed their sick.  As evening approached, the disciples urged him to tell everyone to go away into the village to buy food.  I’m sure they were confused when he told them they didn’t need to buy food.  He told the disciples to feed them, but the only food they had were five loaves and two fish.  They knew it was impossible to feed all those people with what they had.

Then Jesus said it … “Bring them here to me.” (Matthew 14:18)  It was an authoritative command, full of assurance, and they gave the loaves and the fish to Jesus.  Then he ordered the crowd to sit down and he looked to heaven and blessed it.  Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and you know the rest of the story.  Everyone was fed and they had 12 baskets of food left over.

I had always focused on the miracle in this story, but when I read it this past Sunday, what stood out to me was his command, “Bring them to me.”  The disciples were faced with a seemingly impossible task of feeding the large multitude of people. Jesus had directed them to do it.  There was no way they could do it on their own.  But then Jesus said, “Bring them to me.”  When they surrendered the food to him, he multiplied it as they handed it to the crowd.

When you’re faced with an impossible situation, Jesus says, “Bring it to me.”  He knows your limitations and he is willing to give you what you need to deal with any situation.  Just give it to him and trust him to see you through.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30 ESV