Home > Reading > The Daily Lectionary – January 2, 2016

ephesians4-10

1 Kings 19:1-8; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:1-14

Simply put, hunger hurts. Hunger brings the pain of a starving body, a stomach craving to be fed. Upon visiting places where hunger is widespread, it isn’t long before you begin to feel hunger’s pain. The faces of those whom you meet reflect the suffering they feel from within. It is a pain that has but one cure: food.

Spiritual hunger, though not visible, is no less painful. If we could see the effects of spiritual hunger, we would soon recognize the ugliness of sin, the ashen complexion of hopelessness, and a faith longing to be nourished. It too is a pain that has but one cure: Christ.

In his compassion, our Lord Jesus provided food by multiplying the few loaves and fishes his disciples gathered. Hunger was satisfied. Jesus also provides nourishment for hungry souls. Holy Scripture, weekly worship, the Sacraments, and prayer are the means by which faith is fed. As Christ feeds his Church with this spiritual food, hunger is satisfied.

Fed from his table, the Church is sent to feed the hungry—not only with food that satisfies hungry stomachs, but also food for a starving faith. Jesus says, “You give them something to eat.”

Prayer: Feed the hungry, O Lord, that all might be satisfied by the power of your love. Amen.

Today’s devotion was written by David Nuottila, Pastor of Union Lutheran Church, Salisbury, NC.

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  • Being a missionary who sees and feeds the hungry daily giving physical food is showing the love of Jesus and opens the door for them to know Jesus and desire the spiritual food. Reading these devotionals helps to feed an encourage me.
    Thank you