Mark 6:32-56

“But He answered and said to them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ And they said to Him, ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?’” (Mark 6:37, NKJV)

Apart from the resurrection, the feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four Gospels. Obviously, it made a big impact on the disciples. It is important to understand this in its context.

After the twelve returned from their mission throughout Israel, Jesus told them to come away to a deserted place to rest for a while. They crossed the Sea of Galilee by boat, but the multitudes ran ahead on foot and met them on the other side. So much for R and R! But rather than being frustrated, Jesus had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So, He taught them many things until it was late in the day.

The disciples realized that the people were getting hungry, and the markets would soon close. They urged Jesus to dismiss the crowd to go and buy food. But Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” How could they? They did not have enough food, and it would cost a year’s wages to feed so many. They understood the situation from a practical perspective. But Jesus pushed them to see the spiritual opportunity. This happens, not by giving what we don’t have, but by giving what we do have. The question is not, “How much do we lack?” but “How much do we have?” Jesus had been giving the crowd spiritual food all day; now it was the disciples’ turn to give them physical food. Jesus told them to go and see how much they had. When they said that they only had five loaves and two fish, Jesus said, “Bring them here to Me” (Matthew 14:18). Jesus took the bread and fish, looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke it. Then He distributed it to His disciples who gave it to the people, and all ate and were satisfied.

There were five steps to this miracle.

1. Compassion—Jesus had compassion on the people because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

2. Recognition—the disciples recognized the need.

3. Gathering—the disciples gathered what food they had.

4. Offering—the disciples gave everything to Jesus.

5. Multiplication—Jesus multiplied everything and gave it back to the disciples to give to the people.

The “lesson of the loaves” is that we would recognize practical needs but that we would also see them as spiritual opportunities. Do we believe that God will take what we give Him and multiply it to bless many? Are we willing to put everything into His hands? This is the anatomy of a miracle. And I am convinced God wants to do more miracles today!

What need do you see?

What are you willing to offer to Jesus to meet that need?