We are back in Galilee after an eventful tour of Jerusalem and Judaea. We have just crossed the Tiberias with thousands of people following.
Jesus has done many miracles along the way. The sick are healed, the blind see and the lame walk. It’s an everyday occurrence. Lepers leave their seclusion to seek out His healing power. He refuses no one.
It’s springtime and the land is beautiful. Tulips and poppy are in full bloom, exploding with a deep red tapestry framed in the fading pink of the anemone. The grass is lush green, completing the scenic landscape.
The people follow with no order, intent to stay close. They press Him for miracles because they have many needs.
As the crowd gets closer, Jesus is concerned. The people have traveled far to follow us, crossing the sea and walking a great distance. It is getting late and no one has eaten. Jesus is worried about the people, so He asks Philip,
“Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” (John 6:5)
That’s a tall order. There are between ten and twenty thousand people to feed with no market close by. Plus, who has that kind of money? It is a logistical and financial nightmare.
Jesus asks as if He already knows the answer. Could this be a test? Jesus has performed many miracles along the way, but nothing this public, and nothing to this scale!
Poor Philip, he’s calculating the enormity of the problem. We don’t have the resources or the time to get food for the crowd.
“Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” (John 6:7)
Andrew has been among the crowd. He brings a young boy to Jesus who had the sense to pack a lunch.
“There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” (John 6:9)
Interesting. A young boy willing to part with His food. That might be a miracle in itself.
Jesus accepts the boy’s offering. He tells us to get everyone seated. Huh? Now I’m baffled. How will He feed these thousands with a couple of pickled fish and 5 cheap rolls? This I have to see.
After the people are seated, Jesus gives thanks. Then He starts handing out baskets. Yep, Baskets! Hundreds of them. Running out on my first pass, I go back and there’s more! I go back again, and again…always more!
Next the fish. As long as there are hungry people, there is food. This reminds me of the widow and the oil with the Prophet Elijah. Jesus is determined to feed the people until they are full.
The people are amazed. They wanted to see miracles and now they are treated to a big one. I wonder if this will change their impression of Him as just a miracle worker. Seems like it might.
I hear murmurings in the crowd. They are recalling Israel coming out of Egypt, and Moses telling the people of another Prophet like himself. They begin to believe Jesus is this Prophet. There is talk of revolting against Herod and putting Jesus on his throne.
Is this such a bad idea? I wonder.
Jesus tells us to gather the leftovers. People are full and yet twelve baskets remain. We have more now than when we started.
I thought I’d seen it all. He has surpassed everything He has done to this point. Amazing us daily seems to be the norm with Him.
He is so humble yet so powerful. First wine and now bread. Is He telling us something? Every day there is a new Wonder. What does tomorrow bring?
The petition to make Him king is gaining momentum but Jesus wants no part of it. He hurries us to our boat.
He sends us off into the sea and retreats to the mountain. Why did He leave us alone? I hate being separated from Him.
Last time there was a storm He was able to calm it. What happens if we run into one without Him?
*Image found in google images.
Continue with: A Storm Between Two Miracles…
Will Marler 