John 6:1-14-Jesus Feeds The 5000-New International Version
Sometime after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2 and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs, he had performed by healing the sick. 3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Festival was near. 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
“Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people,” Jesus asked. Did anyone other than Jesus really know?
Where can we buy bread to feed all these people Lord? They’ve come such a long way. And they’re hungry. They need a place to stay. They’re so many…and they need so much. Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?
Some of these folks are ones we know…some are relatives. Others we’ve never seen before. They’re people just like us. But still, how can we care for them all? Some have children. Others are elderly. Many haven’t heard from their families and don’t know if they’re all right. Where will they stay? What will they eat? Where will they go when it’s all over? And How in the world can we show love to so many Lord?
“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” And Andrew points out that there’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. BUT what good is that with this huge crowd? What in the world can we do Lord?
Here’s what we have. But it seems so tiny compared to what’s really needed. Can five barley loaves and two fish really make a difference?
Lord, we’re overwhelmed by the great need along with our great desire to help out. We want to help. But who? And every time we do something, we feel like we need to help someone else because we haven’t done enough.
OK Jesus, we’ll have them sit. And then we’ll give thanks for what we have. And then we’ll give out of the little we have and see what happens.
And Jesus fed the multitudes…just as he’ll feed the multitudes today. But he’ll do it through faithful servants willing to pray, give thanks, and share out of their bounty with those who’ve lost everything.
Jesus used that boy and what little he had. And he’ll use you too. You see, what you give may seem like a little when you compare it to the thousands of homeless refugees. But how do you think it looks to that one person you help? It looks like a miracle. And you know, that’s exactly what it is.
The Rev. Greg Hazelrig
Question for Family Sharing-What can you do to help someone that you know is in need? What kind of difference do you think that taking the time to ask about what help others need makes in their lives?
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