This was the back of todays bulletin...I thought it had a good message.

Past our own pain.

You are tired. You have just received a message about a close family member dying. But people are calling for your help. You want to rest, but there seems to be no letup. Finally, you relent and do what you can to help. The message today is about just such a story.

The Miraclous feeding of the 5000 is depicted in all four gospels. In Matthew, Jesus has just heard about John the Baptist's beheading. He is greiving and looks for a place to be by Himself. The respite is only temporary, and the crowd again call upon Jesus.

Jesus heals the sick and the suffering around Him. Confronted with the needs of all the people gathered, Jesus does something that can be explained only through divine intervention. He feeds the crowd of over 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish.

Henri Nouwen, who wrote volumes about the suffering servant, notes that ministry is done not only when things are going well, you are feeling great and life is good; ministry is demanded when you too are suffering. It demands that each of us "bandage our own wounds" and, transcending our own suffering, bring God's presence to those who need God's help.

Today, past your own physical or spiritual limping, think of ways that you too can help those in need of Jesus' healing and the salvation that He alone brings. Do what you can for those who cry out in physical and mental anguish. As you minister to others, tell them about Jesus. Feed them the spiritual food that they need, not only for this day, but also for all eternity.

Robert M. Peek Sr. Pastor of Immanuel-New Eden Moravian Church, Winston Salem, NC.