Numbers 11: 21-23
But Moses said, (to God), “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’ Would they have enough if flocks and herds were slaughtered for them? Would they have enough if all the fish in the sea were caught for them?”
The Lord answered Moses, “Is the Lord’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”
Five Loaves and Two Fishes
God uses what you have to fill a need which you never could have filled. God uses where you are to take you where you never could have gone. God uses what you can do to accomplish what you never could have done. God uses who you are to let you become who you never could have been.
(Tim Hansel, 1987)
Almost everyone knows the story of the five loaves and two fishes.
Jesus had sent His disciples out in pairs giving them the authority to cast out demons. They went around preaching that people should repent and healing the sick. Being told by Jesus not to take anything with them, they had to depend on the people they were teaching to take care of their needs. Otherwise they should shake the dust from their feet. The disciples were quite successful, casting out demons and healing the sick.
When the men returned to Jesus they gathered around Jesus and reported everything they had done. There were so many people around they didn’t get a chance to eat so Jesus said that they should all move to a quiet place to rest.
However, rest was not possible because the crowds saw them and followed them. Jesus, being sympathetic towards them, started to teach them. It got late and the disciples recommended they should send the crowds home, but Jesus had other ideas. Jesus suggested they should feed them. Of course the disciples argued that they didn’t have the means to feed all of them. There were about 5,000 men besides women and children. When Jesus asked what they did have a young boy was brought to Jesus with five loaves and 2 fishes.
After telling everybody to sit in groups, Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven and asked God’s blessing on the food. Wow! Who would have imagined this small amount of food could satisfy all of this crowd? Not only that, but there was also plenty left over. In fact, twelve baskets full. Not bad from 5 loaves and two fishes.
The reading today shows that Jesus was not the first to feed a multitude of people when there was no food around. Jesus asked God’s blessing on the food, knowing that the all-powerful God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob could turn this food into a feast.
God is still feeding us today as we feast on His word, praising Him and praying for insight and wisdom. His Spirit can explain things if we listen.
Prayer
All powerful God, we are grateful for the food you give us. Not only food for our physical needs but more importantly for our spiritual needs. Help us to partake of the spiritual food as eagerly as physical. We need both to be healthy in mind spirit and body. Just as You fed the people of Israel all those years ago, so You still feed us now and always. Father please watch over Your children in the world today, as Satan makes his way around the people, using all his wiles to ensnare those who listen to his followers whispering to those who have no anchor to Jesus or Your Spirit. We hear and read of people of faith turning away from the surety of Jesus, even preachers who seemed strong in faith are falling for the lies of the evil one. We ask Your blessing on those lands where war and violence are normal, with civilian casualties growing and no sign of peace. All things seem to be falling into place according to the prophecies in scripture. Help us to stay strong in Your love with Jesus and Your Spirit. In the name of Your precious Son Jesus Christ, amen.
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