SALT LAKE CITY — Although I’m deviating from my usual column format, I feel it appropriate with the approach of Easter Sunday. On this day, approximately 2.18 billion people around the world will be focused on Jesus Christ and, very likely, the difference he and his teachings have made in their lives.

I just had one such experience. A week ago I sat in a church Sunday School class where we discussed the “Feeding of the 5,000.” In one of those moments where time pauses and words pop to the forefront, I saw something I hadn’t before: that this entire experience could be used as a template for dealing with life issues.

In the Bible in John, chapter 6 (forgive my paraphrasings, interpretations and lack of scholarly knowledge), Jesus Christ had been teaching the multitude for quite some time that day. They were tired and hungry, and he knew it. Instead of simply solving a seemingly temporal problem, he used it as a teaching tool.

1. The problem

The savior “saw a great company.” He turned to his disciples and asked where they could buy bread for all of them. In essence, I feel he first identified the main issue: what was wrong. In our lives, that issue may be financial, a relationship, a health concern, a feeling of loneliness. And then Christ asked a thought-provoking question: how were they to solve it? And would it be in a typical way?

2. Two responses

At first, the disciple Philip answers and basically says, "No way do we have the money for that, even if people take just a bite." It’s a reality-based response. Then Andrew, unbidden, pipes up with the knowledge that a boy has five loaves and two small fishes. That’s a more faith-based response (even though he adds the reality rejoinder of, “But what are they among so many?”)

With our problems, do we knee-jerk react with, “That can’t be done. It’s not going to work;” or do we consider the possibilities of solving something a new way, one that requires work and a bit of faith? Interestingly, Andrew offered to use what was available, and Jesus taught how he could magnify it.

3. The solution

Then Christ directed them to sit (the book of Matthew says there were 5,000 people and adds “beside women and children,” so likely there were close to 10,000. Then he “gives thanks,” which I interpret as not only blessing the food but actually giving thanks for it.

In our lives, that could mean giving thanks for unexpected and unwanted challenges, or perhaps finding purpose in what we’re going through or seeing the hand of God in ways we didn’t understand or want to accept.

4. Acknowledge the miracle

In my opinion, gathering the remaining bread wasn’t just to be well-mannered or thrifty. I believe it was to emphasize the utter and complete miracle that had transpired. Whether the miracle be as small as finding your keys or as big as a life-changing cure, we can thank him for doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. For his grand caring to be obvious in the comparative smallness of our lives.

5. Choosing to be changed

After this experience, many sought Jesus. But as he succinctly stated to them, “Ye seek me not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves and were filled.” Some heard the teachings and took them to heart, but some grumbled and refuted them.

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him,” the Bible says. Jesus didn’t do anything different, the people’s expectations simply became evident. A miracle had happened, now what? What were they going to do with it? How were they going to be changed by it?

I think of the “small” miracles in my own life. Have they changed me? Sure, I express appreciation. But do I let it go deep and change my thoughts, behaviors or attitudes? When a soul shift occurs, that’s when true nourishment has been received.

I’m grateful for this small miracle of a simple Sunday School experience. It has touched my heart and made me see things anew. At this tender, beautiful Easter season, I can’t help but to express my gratitude for not only this kind of spiritual feasting, but for Jesus Christ, the giver of all good things, for his perfect example of love, wisdom and sacrifice. And for his willingness to gently and continually teach us how to develop the same.

Connie Sokol is an author, speaker, TV contributor and mother of seven. Contact her at www.conniesokol.com.

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