Jesus and His disciples went up on a mountainside and sat down. A great crowd was following them because of the many healings that Jesus had performed. They were near where Philip grew up. It is interesting how Jesus interacts with His disciples. This time Jesus is testing Philip. In verses 5-7 Jesus talks to Philip.
5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do.
7 Philip answered Him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Reflecting back on this situation, John adds a comment in verse 6. I can almost see the smile on John’s face as he adds that thought. Philip wants to help but is overwhelmed with the question. I wonder how I would have answered Jesus’ question. Another faith stretching, teachable moment is about to happen.
Andrew jumps in to try to help Philip off the “hot seat”. Andrew brings an idea that is as unrealistic as Philip’s. A boy’s lunch to feed the whole crowd. I think these guys were scrambling to be helpful, but it would take a miracle to feed the crowd. Verses 10-13 tell the story of one of Jesus’ best-known miracles.
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves and fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. (Obviously the hand of God).
12 When they had all had enough to eat, He said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
As we stop to ponder the thoughts of many people, try to imagine what all the characters were thinking. The disciples, the boy that gave up his lunch, the 5000 men and their families that were with them. They would remember that meal for the rest of their lives.
Some of the disciples were present when Jesus changed the water into wine. The others only heard about it. The magnitude of this miracle dwarfs the water to wine. That was at least the same volume of liquid. Imagine being part of handing food out of a basket that continues to refill itself. It is so amazing I think it had to be a little scary. I love the fact that there were 12 baskets left over. The word “basket” that was used means the size of a lunch pail. The twelve saw 5000+ people feed from a boy’s lunch and each one ended up with a lunch of their own. Amazing!
How about the boy? His life had to be changed forever. This unnamed boy became part of the story of Jesus’ ministry. Imagine him going back home and telling his friends that weren’t there what happened. They probably laughed at him. Who could believe such a story. However, after the stories were told by thousands of people, that young boy was probably a type of celebrity. The boy whose lunch fed thousands. As John shares that story with his congregation for years after, that boy who was now a man could have been in the audience. What would he be thinking as he reflects back? What would others be thinking?
All the other people. What were they thinking? Verses 14-15 tell us.
14 After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15 Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.
Imagine thousands of people going home with this story. I am sure Jesus’ fame spread like wildfire. They had been waiting for this Prophet all their lives. They thought this was surely Him. They were so convinced they wanted to make Him king to free them from Rome.
My thoughts go back to John. Young John was part of the distribution of food. I am sure he was marveling at the seemingly never-ending supply of food. Then I think about John as he recalls it all 60 years later. That memory must have been wonderful. I can see the smile on his face. What would you be thinking?
How about Jesus himself. I think we often lose sight of His humanity. Scripture says He withdrew to a mountain by Himself. Many times, we see Jesus getting alone with His Father. He was 100% God, but also 100% man. As a man, He needed the comfort only His Father could give. This separation from His disciples sets up a different type of miracle.
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