Feeding a Multitude

February 28 Feeding a Multitude John 6:1-15

“(T)he miracle … has this in common with others, that in it Christ exercised His divine power in conjunction with His kindness. It is also confirmation to us of the statement in which He exhorts us to seek the Kingdom of God, promising that all the rest shall be added to us. For if He took care of those who were led to Him just by a sudden impulse, how will He fail us if we seek Him with a firm purpose?” John Calvin “Commentary on John” Vol. 4:147

How do we solve problems when they come our way? Sometimes we attempt to buy our way out of trouble by throwing money at the problems. Sometimes we look to other people for solutions. At other times we simply try to make our problems disappear. Perhaps our problems would be fewer if we would look to Jesus for solutions?

The disciples had a problem. Many of the local people had followed Jesus up into the hills above the western shore of the Sea of Galilee; the hour was getting later and the people were getting hungry. They had nothing to eat. What were they to do? Philip’s solution was really no solution at all. He proposed throwing money at it. They could send down to Bethsaida, the nearest town, for bread. But it would cost eight months wages to buy enough bread for so many people. It was impossible. Andrew had an idea: the people could share what they had brought with them. But when he searched to discover what was available, all he could come up with was a young boy whose mother had packed him a snack – five small barley loaves and two small fish. Barley bread was the cheapest available; the fish were little more than relish. Even Andrew was embarrassed to suggest this as a solution. The boy’s meager offering was nothing compared to the need. In the other Gospels we learn that a third solution was offered: just send the people home; that would get rid of the problem!

Jesus had His own solution, which depended neither upon money nor people. It did not require sending the people home, either, thereby missing an opportunity. When all other resources had failed, God did not. And so five loaves and two fish were brought to Jesus. He gave thanks over them, as at any meal; then He broke them and distributed them, and there was more than enough. In fact, the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of left-overs. Poverty was replaced by plenty. All were fed.

The people were quick to make a connection: Moses had fed the Israelites in the wilderness; he led them out of captivity and into the Promised Land. Surely, Jesus would do the same? He had met their needs; would He not now lead them against the occupying Romans? He had come to set them free. He must be the Messiah, the long-awaited One. They must proclaim Him as their leader and begin the work of liberation.

But Jesus was not ready to be made into a political savior. His mission was so much more than they had understood. He was a Messiah, to be sure, but His mission was not what they imagined. Jesus’ mission was to bring liberty; wherever and whenever people were oppressed by the stranglehold of sin, there would Jesus be at work setting the captives free. So, He left the place of miracle and made His way up into the hills to pray. His works bore testimony to His mission, but the people’s minds remained blinkered by self-interest. It could have been a great triumph. Jesus was at the height of His popularity. But He did not give them what they wanted. They were looking for a freedom fighter; He gave them the suffering servant. So, they began to turn against Him. Five barley loaves were broken on the hillside; soon, His body would be broken on the Cross. He gave them the answer to their problem, but they would not listen.

For further reading: Psalm 54