They Hunger for Food and Jesus

"Hunger knows no friend but its feeder."  -Aristophanes

With the holiday season fast approaching, I thought it would be an appropriate time to address the issue of hunger. Quite frankly, one of the most distressing and desperate conditions in our world today is world hunger.

Millions die each year from starvation and related diseases. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that about 805 million people of the 7.3 billion people in the world, or one in nine, were suffering from chronic undernourishment in 2012-2014. Most of these are children five years of age and under.

Yet, the hunger-related problems are not new. The people of biblical times were no strangers to hunger, either. For example, I refer you 2 Kings 7:1-11. The text tells of a time when there was hunger and starvation in Samaria. Benhadad, king of Syria, surrounded the city with a vast army. His blockade was completely successful; bringing the entire population closer to a horrible end with each passing day.

Cannabalism was widespread. Mothers killed their children for food. The king looked upon the agony of his people and put on sackcloth beneath his royal robes. What could be done to help the starving masses? The situation looked quite hopeless. Little did the king know that help would come from a very unlikely source: four lepers.

Eventually, the famine was broken, and the blockade lifted. Even though being outcasts from their own people, the unselfish and compassionate lepers helped save their city from total annihilation due to starvation at the risk of their own lives.

But, there's more here than meets the eye. That's what I love about scripture. One can learn something new no matter how many times you might read a familiar passage! And as you will see, there are a few helpful lessons that we can extract from the lepers' experience.

First, people are hungry, and we have bread. Best-seller lists almost always include a books on dieting or suggestions for losing weight. However, people in deprived nations of the world don't have a problem with being overweight. While people in other countries are dying from malnutrition, many families stuff themselves and throw enough food away to keep another family alive.

Secondly, there are people in our world who have never heard of Christ. We also have the Bread of Life (John 6:35). We've found that he satisfies our inner hunger. We've heard about Jesus over and over again. Many even have several Bibles in their homes. In Bible study and church we hear the message weekly. How can we be satisified to hear the message repeatedly when some haven't heard the message even once?

Yes, world hunger is a problem that persistenly confronts us who are blessed enough not to experience it in our homes. It is a war that is being fought against around the clock, everyday of the year. I pray that one day hunger will no longer cast its dark shadow over humanity; and not a single person will have to ever go to bed wanting for food again.

And finally, there's another hunger that goes unsatisfied in the world: the hunger for Christ. Jesus commands us to take the gospel to everyone in the world. The small band of first-century Christians took him seriously, and they came closer to winning their world than we have ever done since.

I urge you help spread the Word, not only during the holidays but all year long. You don't have to set up a soapbox on a street corner and shout, unless that's your preference. We have so many tools available to us today that were not years ago. Whether it's through social media, print, or even simple conversation; let's get the Word out there!

Remember: Our Christian compassion constrains us not only to share the bread from our tables.but to share the Bread of Life, as well.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 15:11; Isaiah 58:10; Matthew 25:35; James 2:15-16;Revelation 7:16

Prayer: Lord, you made us to know what hunger is, but also to know the goodness of your provision. We pray for those who share this earth with us, but for whom hunger is a crippling, life-threatening danger. We pray for those who have nothing and those who have too little to eat: would you help them and allow us to be part of the solution? Amen

May God bless you!

Meredith