The Feeding Of The Five Thousand
THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND
LUKE 9:10-17
It seems that the disciples wanted to keep Jesus to themselves. But he gave them a firm responsibility, although the resources seemed tiny.
Bethsaida Julias is a mile north-east of the lake across the Jordan, a quiet countryside, where the Lord sought rest for his weary men (Mark 6:31). The eager multitude followed, and the Lord ministered to them. The weary Christian worker should note his example. To toil is part of dedication.
There is no bypassing the miracle. It is told by all four evangelists, and it is instructive to compare the accounts (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; John 6:1-13). There is no difficulty provided Christ was the One he claimed to be, and if he was less than that the whole fabric of Christian doctrine disintegrates. Creative hands increased that which was surrendered, and made it useful to a multitude (John 1:1-3).
A divine principle of action is apparent in the incident. God seems to demand some point of entry into the world, some bridgehead in the spirit of man. To bring blessing to mankind he seems to require some surrendered trifle, some shred of experience, a widow’s mite, a handful of bread and fish, a sorrow, a pain, a joy. Given utterly to God the small gift becomes miraculous in his hands. David’s and Isaiah’s agony break the barriers of time, merge with the pain of Calvary, and become Psalm 22 or Isaiah 53. Habakkuk’s perplexity becomes a book of poetry and prophecy built round a text which echoes on to Paul and Luther (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17). The key is 9:16. That which God blesses, infinitely multiplies.
The blessing was no doubt the beautiful Jewish form of grace: “Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth.” Affluent societies, rich and increased with goods, should remember that multitudes still lack the necessities of life, and should hold their plenty with humble, grateful and generous hands. And note, in the midst of such creativity, the Lord’s care for the fragments left in his possession. The Jew on a journey carried a “cophinos” or rush-woven basket so that he might avoid buying his bread from Gentiles. The disciples were thus equipped, and each of the Twelve gathered provision for the morrow. There was no waste, and a society prodigal of material goods, as no society has ever been before, should note the fact. No blessing lies on it.
Prayer
Let our small gifts be not wasted, Lord,
but multiplied at thy touch.