Loaves and Fishes in the Midst

After having such an experience with sharing food with many, I was thinking about the story of the loaves and fishes. You may be familiar with it. There are people and the disciples of Jesus say to send them away so he can get some rest. Countermanding that, Jesus stops them, has them gather their supplies of fish and bread, then proceeds to feed the people.

I just had to go back and reread that, seeing what kind of reaction was there and how I could learn more about God. Winding up in Matthew 14, I started reading and it clicked with the other factors going on that day.

“On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked,” (Matthew 14:6-7). This girl, with some coaching from her mom, asked for the head of John the Baptist delivered to her on a platter. Herod wasn’t real thrilled with this, but had given his oath – so he had John beheaded in the prison. His head was delivered on a platter to the girl who gave it to her mother. The disciples took John’s body away and buried it and then went, telling Jesus what had happened.

Can you imagine the scene? There must have been many tears, strong words, questions, and fears. How could this happen? Why John? What kind of retribution can God rain on Herod’s head? Jesus must have grieved over the news and the knowledge of how and why John, his cousin died. Talk about feeling like being in too great a need to serve.

Ever feel that way? There is need in the midst of pain, hurt, business, or just regular life. We often need to pull away in those difficult times, as did Jesus. “He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place,” (Matthew 14:13). Jesus came back, the boat landed and he saw a crowd. Seeing them, he had compassion on them, healing them, putting away his hurt in their midst. The disciples must have seen the fatigue, felt their own, and as evening approached, they tried to get Jesus to go and get some rest. Sending the people away, the thought was that would go to the villages and get some food.
Jesus said that the people didn’t need to leave, just feed them. We are talking a lot of people – over 5,000 gathered, which would require a great deal of food. The disciples pointed this out, “we have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” (Matthew 14:17). Jesus took the food and gave directions for the people to sit on the grass. He took “the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaves, gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied,” (Matthew 14:18-19). Ate and were satisfied! All ate and were satisfied. Then, the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. Five loaves of bread, two fish fed over 5,000 people with twelve basketfuls left over!
So, when I am fatigued or overwhelmed, I can still have compassion on others and help meet needs. When I am trying to meet those needs, I can thank God and ask for His provision. Then, faithfully wait to see the blessing that He loves to bestow.