A Thin Slice

Matthew 15:32 says, “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, ‘I have compassion on the multitudes, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.’”

As a young boy, I enjoyed the week-long camping and fishing trips to Canada with Old Pop. One year, I got to bring a friend of mine along. Though we ate simple meals, my mom had brought along a large chocolate cake for a special treat. She asked me to cut the first slice for my friend. I took the knife and cut a large piece—almost a fourth of the cake. Things got quiet. My mother took me aside and explained that now there wasn’t enough cake to go around. I felt terrible and embarrassed.

Over the years I have learned to cut thin slices.

Jesus came to feed the hungry soul. However, Jesus understood the hungry stomach, and still does. It was this physical hunger that the devil used to tempt Jesus. Jesus knew what it meant to be hungry. He looked on the multitude with compassion.

We often see people standing along the road with a sign wanting food. Why do we pass them by? Could it be we don’t have any food? Are we afraid to give them money because they will spend it on drugs or alcohol? Do we figure it is just a racket and we are the sucker? Maybe they don’t look hungry. If they weren’t feeding a dog they could afford to buy food. Why don’t they get a job?

I wonder what Jesus thought as he looked at the hungry multitude?

One night I was returning home late from a long day of hard labor. I had stopped at McDonald’s and ordered a large fry, pop, and a hamburger. I ate on the go. I ate the fries first before they got cold. As I came off the exit ramp, there was a beggar at the stop light. There was no traffic to push me on and the light was red. I had to stop by him. His sign simply said, “Hungry.” God helped me to have compassion on him. I gave him the hamburger (I had already been drinking on the pop.) As I gave him the hamburger there were tears running down his face. He thanked me over and over. You bet he was hungry! I wish I had given him more. Do you think Jesus was watching? Certainly!

As I sit at my desk right now, I see a doe and her fawn eating their breakfast. They don’t even have souls, yet God feeds them. They don’t work for it. They get the food—no questions asked.

A tramp asked for food. The man who professed to be a Christian grudgingly led him into the kitchen and gave him a little food along with a few thin slices of bread. Before the tramp was permitted to eat the man said, “I always pray before I eat.” In a dry voice he began, “Our Father.” “Wait a moment,” cried the tramp. “Did you say, ‘Our Father’?” “Yes, I said, ‘Our Father’,” the man replied who had been halted in his prayer. The tramp was ready with another question. “If God is our Father, then we are brothers, ain’t we?” “Well, yes, I suppose so,” the man finally admitted.” “Then, if we are brothers, won’t you slice that bread a little thicker?”

Forgive us, Jesus, for the “thin slice” attitude. Give us your compassion! Help me, Jesus!