This Miracle, Forever
This Miracle, Forever
The miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is one that circulates through my mind all the time. It’s so significant. I doubt I’m alone in that considering it's the only miracle, outside of the resurrection, mentioned in the Gospels. I continuously get revelation from this story.
Let’s unpack why this miracle wrecks me every. single. time.
With What?
But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” Mark 6:37
Jesus had been teaching and healing in such a way that large crowds would linger. They stayed so late that they were getting hungry but still far from home. When the disciples brought the need to Jesus, His words were…
you feed them!
Wait… what?
Jesus, who had just been MEETING PEOPLE’S NEEDS now turns and says… you do it.
Naturally, the disciples respond… “with what?”
Valid question. One I ask Jesus frequently.
Do you ever feel like the thing(s) that God asks you to do are nearly impossible? Beyond your capacity? Frustrating to even think about. Start a business when you are the most unorganized person you know. Break the generation curse of fatherless/motherlessness and you’re literally single with no prospects. Preach when you stutter. Apologize again and reconcile that relationship when you didn’t even start it.
It can sometimes feel like God is asking us to do His job. We’re stuck thinking like… no, God. YOU do it.
Me and Jesus wrestle with this one a lot. I know what He’s called me to do but… with what?! How do I make something out of nothing? How do I feed 5,000 people with no money and no food? This place of not enough deeply frustrates me and often leaves me feeling helpless and confused. Why does He keep asking me to do things that I just can’t do?
… or that I can’t do on my own.
Sit Down.
For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” Luke 9:14
After the disciples identified what they did have, they brought it to Jesus. Jesus tells them to have everyone gather in groups of 50 and sit down.
This detail is important.
What if your blessing, your provision and the manifestation of the miracle is tied to your willingness to get organized?
Jesus will tell us to gather in groups of 50 and sit down but sometimes we’re bent on asking questions like:
“But I don’t know 50 people.”
“I don’t feel like sitting down! Can’t you just bless me right now?”
“Why are they telling me to sit down? I only listen to Jesus!”
“God, I’m too scared to tell people to gather and sit.”
In order to receive the provision, you need to follow instructions. Gather and sit down - the blessing is coming. You don’t have to see it, you only need to prepare for it. You may not be able to feed 5,000 with 5 leaves and 2 fish, but you are able to sit down.
He Broke It.
“Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.” Matthew 14:19
Ugh! This part gets me every time. After they gathered and sat down, Jesus took the bread and the fish. He blessed it. Then, he broke the bread.
In ancient times, sharing meals together was sacred. Being invited to someone’s table was a sign of belonging and honor. Jesus is inviting all who would come to His table. Everyone who followed Him there was invited. In front of everyone, He took the bread and broke it.
This is both a symbol and a foreshadowing of what was to come.
Jesus is the Bread of Life. And this bread, His body, would soon be broken on the cross for the sins of the world. In order for all to come and eat, to be healed and whole - Jesus had to be broken.
This miracle tells the Gospel. If you come to Him, you will be fed. Your soul will be fed to a point where you never have to hunger and thirst again. Whoever would come and accept Him would be invited to His table. This miracle is one that keeps showing the goodness of God. It doesn’t matter what you have or what you feel inadequate to do - if you would just come to Him, you will be fed too.
His body was broken for you to be whole and to have a seat at His table, forever.
