He was not an ordinary preacher or teacher who taught in the Temple. This Man often taught in open spaces like on a hillside or from a boat at the beach. On a particular day, He held the attention of a very large crowd who had gathered in a solitary place – some to hear what He had to say; others came to be healed of their diseases.
A man, his wife and their two young sons settled on the green grass on the outer fringe of the great multitude. “Can we move closer?” Elly asked her husband. He nodded his agreement, so they picked their way between the people who clustered together in groups of fifties and hundreds.
Elly looked up at the Teacher. He had kind eyes, and a demeanor that was not showy and demanding attention, but rather one that evoked a desire to listen to His every word. Elly was no exception.
“The Kingdom of God is coming and is now among you,” He said. “Repent and believe.”
Elly lost all awareness of those squished around her. Could this be the One the prophets spoke of concerning the coming Messiah? She knew His name – people talked about this Teacher who said things some considered to be blasphemy, and others said He spoke with the authority of God Himself. Others talked about the Healer who healed leprosy; the Miracle Worker who changed water into wine; the One who forgave sins. Wherever Elly went – to the well for water, to the market for their daily bread, or to the river on wash day, people were talking about the Man she was sitting before listening to Him as He explained about the Kingdom of God and eternal life. Jesus said, “To those who receive God’s good news, more spiritual truth will be given. He who has ears, let him hear.”
By this time, it was late in the day and her children complained of their hunger. Elly did not want to leave, but she knew they must – for her children’s sake. But then a most amazing thing happened. Jesus took a few small loaves of bread and two fish given him by a young boy sitting next to her.
Jesus blessed the food and gave it to the men at his side to distribute to the people. Elly watched closely as Jesus continued to pass out the bread and fish. Each man, woman and child received as much as they wanted. There must be 5000 men here plus their families.
Suddenly she grabbed her husband’s arm and leaned into him. “Look!” she said. “All the people are eating and the food hasn’t run out! We are seeing a miracle! Can you believe it? A miracle!”
Her husband smiled. “Do you have ears to hear?” he asked.
Elly gazed at her husband. “I have ears to hear,” she said, with a nod.