Epiphany........ Revealing the Life of Jesus. A Devotional for The 1st Sunday January 9

I can pick those who have once gone hungry out of a crowd. When I am with a group that eats "cafeteria" style, whether in college, at a seminar, or in a hospital, I hear complaints about the food. I never hear those who have once gone hungry complain about the food. Their eyes shine, reflecting the full feeling in their stomachs. Every meal becomes celebration because God has saved them from death by starvation. In many hopes and prophecies of the Messiah, we find promises that the hungry will be fed. The poor will rejoice. Psalm 147:14b says, "He fills you with the finest of wheat." Jesus feeds a crowd of 5,000 with two fish and five loaves. Then the masses swarm upon him, expecting the same day after day. Can we fault them? They look for a way to stop the gnawing in their insides. I find similarities in the spiritual feeding of the masses. Those who have once been deprived of spiritual nourishment, whether through ignorance or persecution, never complain at the way God's word is presented. I once shared communion with Russians who had been persecuted because of their faith. They do not complain at the language barrier or the theology. Their eyes shine, reflecting the full feeling in their souls. Every Christian gathering, large or small, becomes a celebration because God has saved them from death by the persecutor's sword. In many hopes and prophecies of the Messiah, we find promises that the spiritually hungry will be fed. Jeremiah 31:33 says, "I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. . ." Jesus explains the ways of the Kingdom of God in the language of the people. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled." The masses swarm upon Jesus because finally they understand God loves them. Can we fault them? They look for a way to stop the sin from gnawing their insides. We have waited for the Messiah. He has come. We have celebrated with our feasts and sermons, trees and plays. If you are alive today, God has saved you from starvation and death. God's love in the form of Messiah still covers you. Rejoice, the Lord has come! Kelly Yates Pea Ridge, Arkansas, USA Prayer Let us be thankful for what we have today. Forgive us for complaining, for we realize that there are many who have less than we do. Amen Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalms 146, 147] [Isaiah 40:1-11] [Hebrew 1:1-12] [John 4:46-54] Visit NazNet's Advent & Christmas Devotionals Return to Epiphany Entry Page You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Dec. 31, 8:45 p.m. Page created by: Cecil Wallace The background set is provided by Web Images Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.