Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
“This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
Matthew 14:15-16
Why did Jesus tell his apostles, “You give them something to eat.” Jesus knew it would be impossible for them to provide food for five thousand men plus women and children. What lessons were Jesus teaching the apostles and us?
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered (Matthew 14:17). Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, prayed, and fed over five thousand people with twelve baskets left over. There are at least three lessons we can learn from these scriptures.
- Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Feeding the five thousand was impossible for the apostles, but was possible for Jesus. The apostles asked Jesus to send the crowds away so that they might get food. Why didn’t they trust Jesus with this problem rather than coming to their own solution? They could not see Jesus’ divine power because they were blinded by their own abilities. When we face difficulties in life Satan often puts fear in us by telling us we cannot handle the situation. We believe him because in our own power it looks very difficult or even impossible. The first lesson in this story is to trust God in all things because miracles are normal for God.
- Jesus fed the five thousand from five loaves and two fish. If the apostles fed the people of their own means they would only have five loaves and two fish, but with Jesus they were all filled and had twelve baskets left over. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5). When we minister to people in our own wisdom we only have five loaves and two fish, but when we minister through the Spirit we can feed five thousand.
- If we want the power of God in our lives we must in our hearts have the desire to serve Jesus just as the apostles did. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). The more we serve the Lord through a heart of love, and the more we trust the Lord, the more powerful and effective are our prayers. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20). Serve the Lord and live in the power of his love. It’s more than we can ask or imagine.
Today, know that you have the power of God through the Holy Spirit to feed five thousand. Don’t settle for five loaves and two fish. God has so much more for you. So, walk step by step in faith with a heart motivated to know him and to serve him.
Let’s Pray: Lord, let me live in your power, reflected through me to bring glory to you. Help me to realize that through the Spirit nothing is impossible, and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.