Good morning, brothers and sisters.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 7:2, “And he said, ‘Brothers and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran.’”
As I was reading the opening statement of Stephen’s response to the high priest’s inquiry, it reminded me of the miracles of Jesus multiplying the bread and fish to feed the multitudes. There are two incidents recorded in the gospels where Jesus took a few loaves of bread and some fish and miraculously fed the hungry masses who had been listening to His teaching. Not surprisingly, we commonly refer to these stories as the feeding of the 5,000 and the feeding of the 4,000. The first miracle is retold in all four gospels, and the second is in Matthew and Mark. And what Stephen’s opening address reminded me of was the way in which the crowds on the hillside are described by the gospel writers. Mark, Luke, and John all mention the numbers and tell us that that is how many men were there. And when someone refers to this story, they usually point out that the numbers do not include the women and children who may have been there, as if feeding four or five thousand from food that would fill only a couple people is not impressive enough. But Matthew actually gives the headcount of men and then includes the footnote, “besides women and children.” Perhaps his training as a tax collector led him to at least note that there were more present than ordinary records might log.
In any case, whenever I hear “besides women and children” or ”not counting the women and children,” I think of those who might truly feel that they don’t count. I couldn’t begin to list the ways in which someone might feel this way. I only know that if Jesus came to earth for anyone, it was for the ones who carry the label of insignificant. And anyone can feel that way, regardless of whether they hold a cardboard sign or reside in the most comfortable of settings, or whether they’re sleeping in on Sundays or in church every week. When there’s tens or hundreds or thousands, it’s easy to miss the individuals who make up the crowd. It’s exciting to notice the new or different ones, but let’s not overlook those who may seem to have faded into the background because of their familiarity. Not counting them makes God’s family dysfunctional from the inside out.
As we seek Him today, make sure everyone counts in your eyes. And start with someone who needs you more than you might realize.
Have a blessed Monday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
