Today’s text is the familiar account of Jesus feeding 5,000 men plus women and children with five loaves of bread and two small fish. The first thing that stands out in this reading is that Jesus and His disciples were trying to get away from the crowds for some rest. When they arrived at the other side of the lake they were greeted by a large crowd. Jesus saw them and had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Whenever the Bible says Jesus has compassion it is always followed by an action to address the need. In this case, Jesus taught them. Later He would feed them. The disciples were overwhelmed at the notion of feeding so many people. Jesus asked them what supplies they had. They said five loaves and two fish. That is our first lesson. Use what you have!
Next, Jesus blessed His Father and distributed the food. That is the second lesson. Give glory to God. They collected twelve baskets of scraps from the five loaves and two fish. That is the third lesson. When you use what God has given you and give God the glory, expect the impossible! Join us today as we unpack this well-known account and discover again the compassion of Jesus
