Five Loaves, Two Fishes, and Jesus – Matthew 14

Pastor Jack O’Dell tells a story about a young boy who claims that it is not all that difficult to feed a crowd of 5,000 people. According to the boy, all you need are “five loaves, two fishes, and Jesus.”

This is a simple truth that describes what did happen one day near the Sea of Galilee. After hearing the tragic news that John the Baptist had been killed by King Herod, Jesus intended to retreat, to take a brief time away from the crowds to grieve and pray, and to be alone with His disciples. The gospel writer Matthew describes what happened when Jesus got the news.

¹³ Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ¹⁵ Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶ But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” ¹⁷ They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” ¹⁸ And he said, “Bring them here to me.” ¹⁹ Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰ And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. ²¹ And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.  Matthew 14:13-21 (ESV)

It is interesting that the twelve apostles each picked up a basket full of food to take with them. I wonder how much more of this abundant feast was available for the crowd to also take home for leftovers.

The prophet Elijah also experienced a miracle of divine multiplication when a single flour jar never emptied, allowing him, a widow, and her son to continue eating bread made from it for several years. The single jar supplied enough bread each day to keep them alive through a terrible, long-lived drought.

In more recent times, God continues to provide miraculous provision in answer to faithful prayer. One such example is George Mueller, who, though poor himself, raised thousands of children over the years in an 1800’s orphanage. Quoting about one incident from the website georgemueller.com:

“The children are dressed and ready for school. But there is no food for them to eat,” the housemother of the orphanage informed George Mueller. George asked her to take the 300 children into the dining room and have them sit at the tables. He thanked God for the food and waited. George knew God would provide food for the children as he always did. 

Within minutes, a baker knocked on the door. “Mr. Mueller,” he said, “last night I could not sleep. Somehow I knew that you would need bread this morning. I got up and baked three batches for you. I will bring it in.”  Soon, there was another knock at the door. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down in front of the orphanage. The milk would spoil by the time the wheel was fixed. He asked George if he could use some free milk. George smiled as the milkman brought in ten large cans of milk. It was just enough for the 300 thirsty children.”

The Lord loves people, flaws and all, but He especially loves children. He wants to love and bless each one of us, and to receive our recognition of His goodness in return. When Jesus fed the crowd of 5,000, everybody ate. No one was left out, and there was plenty left over for everyone to take what they needed with them. Jesus does not do anything half-way. We can trust Him, one day at a time, to make a way to provide for all of our needs, and many of the desires of our heart.

Reflection

God provides sustenance for each one of us as we ask Him to “give us this day our daily bread”. He does this in any number of ways, from the miraculous to the so-called “routine”.

How has He provided for you?

Father God, thank You so much for our daily bread and so much more. Forgive us our sins, and help us to forgive the other, also imperfect, people who sin against us. Help us to love and worship You, and to share this love in service to others. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today!