M 9 Bread for Thousands

The Feeding of the 5000

With just 5 five loaves and two fish, blessed and then shared, Jesus fed 5000 people? What a miracle! Let’s go back to what happened before Jesus performed this miracle. Imagine the reaction of the disciples when they heard Jesus say, “Give them something to eat” (MaShew14:16). The disciples might have panicked, thinking it was impossible. How could they feed thousands of people in such a short time? They had neither money nor food. Philip said that 200 denarii wouldn’t be enough. Andrew then menNoned that one child was willing to give five barley loaves and two fish. But what did this mean to the thousands of people who were following Jesus?! 

What the disciples thought to be insignificant, Jesus made into something extraordinary. What they thought was not enough, Jesus made more than enough. This miracle confirms Jesus’ power as the Son of God. One fascinating aspect of this story is the presence and role of the child. The identity of the child is not clearly mentioned, nor how she or he suddenly appeared to offer the five loaves and two fish. The story invites us to use our imagination. 

There are many possibiliNes as to why this child offered the five loaves and two fish. However, the actions clearly demonstrate generosity, a spirit of caring and sharing. The child may not have known the impact of the offering at the time, which was actually well over 5,000 people if we include the women and children. 

There are lessons to be learnt from this story, lessons that can be turned into lifestyles. The first is not to panic or be reactive when we are faced with challenges or problems. Try to stay calm so that we can think clearly and find the best solutions. Jesus’ command to the disciples to make the people sit down on the grass (John 6:10) can be seen as his way of calming the crowd, including the disciples. 

Secondly, we should not be ashamed or pessimistic about what we have, no matter how small the good deeds we want to do. We may sometimes be like the disciples, doubting what we have because of its small value. Jesus showed that the disciples’ doubts were unfounded. Do not burden ourselves with doing things beyond our capacity. Give what we have, what we can, enough to share and become a blessing to others. We never know what the impact of our good deeds will be. Our task is to do good from the heart, trusting fully in God’s power and sovereignty to bless it and make it more than enough. This is not limited to material possessions, but also includes our hearts, thoughts, attention or support for others. 

Remember that we were not born for ourselves but for each other. May our lives always radiate love for our family, our friends, even those we do not know. 

Third, generosity. What the child did is essentially a reflection of who our God is. A generous God, a God who always cares and shares, a God who always provides. As children of God, we are always “called” to be generous in our everyday lives. When our hearts tremble at the sight of people who are suffering, who are hungry, who are facing difficulties or injustice, this is God reaching out to us, calling us to care and to do what we can. Perhaps this is what the child felt when she or he saw the situation at that time.

Are we willing to train ourselves to make these three things a lifestyle? To be calm in the face of challenges and problems, to be enthusiastic about doing good no matter how small, and to continually embody generosity and love. Believe that each time we practice these, we also recognize God’s presence in our hearts, and the presence of Jesus at the center of our being. Remember, it doesn’t have to be something big and difficult. Are we willing to start with simple things, with those around us, in our homes?Perhaps they need warmth and a touch of love, longing for moments of loving togetherness. Are we willing to share with them, to care for them, and not just think of our own lives and interests? 

Let’s give it a try! 

David Sihite, Indonesien, studiert in Bochum