The Global Food Crisis

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Throughout the New Testament Jesus uses metaphors to describe the purpose of his life on earth. One of the most memorable metaphors can be found in John 6:35. “Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” Jesus uses bread and water in this metaphor because he acknowledges that food and water are the two most basic needs of humans. But Jesus takes it farther then this, throughout his life he shows his followers that they need to provide food and water for others. In the New Testament story of the feeding of the five thousand, a small boy shares a few pieces of fish and bread which miraculously become enough to feed the large crowd that is gathered to hear Jesus speak. “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way (Matthew 15:32).” The importance of the food that is distributed in this passage is often forgotten, because many Christians prefer to focus on the miraculous powers of Jesus. However, Christians need to take another look at this passage as food shortages and rampant food price increases occur throughout the world, giving the followers of Jesus around the world a new multitude to feed. The global food crisis has hit the developing world hard and fast. Riots have broken out in a number of countries over food price increases and food shortages. There should be little surprise that unrest has reached so many countries because between 2006 and 2008 rice prices rose 217 percent; wheat prices 136 percent; corn prices 125 percent; and soybeans 107 percent. Unfortunately the crisis has hit those who are already struggling to find food the hardest. The food crisis raises new questions about how Christians
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