John 6: Jesus feeds the 5,000

Captain Faith Thompson discovers miracles can happen when we give all we have to Jesus.

Key text

• John 6:1–15

If you ever had the panic of someone turning up unexpectedly, you may have experienced the same panic Philip felt when all eyes were on him to provide an answer to Jesus’ question in our study passage. When I am expecting company, or anticipating more people than usual, I cater accordingly, even over-preparing with a few sneaky packets of posh biscuits or nibbles available at a moment’s notice. When welcoming people into your home or place of worship, it seems respectful, perhaps even expected, to show hospitality in practical and bountiful ways. Yet, there are those times when people turn up out of the blue, usually on the day you have run out of milk or you have two potatoes and an onion left in the fridge to provide lunch. What to do?

Pause and reflect

• Think about a time when someone arrived unexpectedly and you wanted to show hospitality.
• What emotions swirled around in your mind. What did your instincts tell you to do first?

In our study passage, Jesus’ presence drew a crowd, and practical assistance for the wellbeing of the listeners became necessary. William Booth said: ‘You cannot warm the hearts of people with God’s love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet.’ Maybe he could have been influenced by this account in John 6. Although cold feet may not have been a prominent issue on the shores of Galilee, hunger can sometimes alter people’s perception of a situation. Jesus, in being hospitable, enabled those listening to receive food first, thus allowing them to stay longer. Practical provision could provide an opportunity for Jesus to teach.

Pause and reflect

• Have you ever been asked a question by someone you knew already had the answer, but wanted to see what you are going to say?
• How did you respond? Did you pray you answered correctly?

Have you ever wondered why, in verse 5, Jesus asked Philip where to get the extra food? Maybe it highlighted a typically human response to quite an unprecedented expectation from Jesus: ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ Notice in John’s account the term ‘buy’ is used, whereas in other Gospels the disciples appear to give from what they had: the well-known items of loaves and fishes (see Matthew 14:15–17, Mark 6:36–38, Luke 9:12–14).

Philip responds with a practical assessment of what is required (see v7), highlighting the magnitude of provision required but alluding to the fact that there was a lack of resources. Funds were not available to spend, let alone local resources that could cater for such an event at short notice. In Luke 9:13 we read this repeated idea of buying food, but to me it hints at a bit of sarcasm from the disciples: ‘They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish – unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.”’

Instead, as the New Beacon Bible Commentary suggests, perhaps we are to compare Philip’s answer to Andrew’s solution (see vv8 and 9), focusing on what others can contribute, even though we are never quite sure if the boy offered his food willingly.

Each response attempts to answer the impossible, how to feed such a crowd, and yet Jesus already knew what he was going to do. Bruce Milne, in The Message of John, says: ‘He is not without plans. He already had in mind what he will do in our time and generation.’ We can apply this to our lives today.

Reflect and respond

• Does the fact the Lord has a plan bring you comfort or raise more questions? Why?

Like the confidence of a person who knows where the extra packs of biscuits are in the cupboard, Jesus utilises an opportunity. This miracle brought nourishment to those listening, yet gave much more than physical sustenance; it enabled those attending to be spiritually fed by the one who is often referred to as the Bread of Life.

This act of food distribution displayed where the supply comes from to achieve anything. Jesus took the bread, gave thanks and proceeded to pass it on to his disciples and they distributed it to those around him so everyone had their fill. This divine touch was necessary for its success. This is an important lesson we need to instil in our lives. If the Lord does not bless the action, our works and efforts are in vain. Too often, we seek to grasp the explanations the world can provide, yet Jesus first gives God the glory through thanks.

I do not suppose that Jesus personally handed a piece of bread and fish to each person there. However, in the multiplication of the resources – through whatever method was given in that moment – the disciples and others passed on the gift of food until everyone was satisfied.

Only through God’s blessing can anything miraculous be achieved, and only through the Bread of Life can our spiritual lives be fully nourished. Whatever we freely put into the hands of Jesus for his service, he will use, give thanks for and multiply, even if we feel our offering is inadequate for the task. The key is surrendering what we feel is impossible and believing in the ability of God to provide.