The story of Jesus feeding the five thousand is a familiar and well-known miracle of Jesus. It’s also the only miracle of Jesus that is recorded in all four of the Gospels. In this passage, there’s a lot we can learn about the nature and heart of Jesus. While there is much we can learn here, there are a few key points that stand out to me as I read. 

First, we learn that Jesus sees us and empathizes with us.

Jesus had just sat down with his disciples, after performing many miracles and healing the sick. Yet when He looked out, He saw the crowds of people searching for Him and coming to find Him. While He could have used that moment to stand back up and begin teaching and preaching to the crowds, which He often did, He posed a question to the disciples instead. 

John 6:5 says, “Then Jesus, when he looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?’” His question to his disciples at that moment gives us insight into how He noticed and responded to the physical needs of the people the same way He saw the spiritual needs. 

Sometimes, I wonder if we can over-spiritualize things in life. I wonder if we sometimes feel as though our physical, practical needs might not matter as greatly to God as our spiritual growth. At this moment, Jesus showed His disciples (and us) that not only do our most basic, practical needs matter to Him, but He also wants to provide for our needs. His eye is on us, and He is looking to show Himself strong to those who are looking to Him (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Second, we learn that God can do a lot with a little.

When Jesus asked the question about where they could buy bread so all the people could eat, the disciples reported back, Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many people?” (John 6:9).

When you’re facing a crowd of 5,000 men (some scholars estimate there were 15,000 people when you count the women and children), it would seem absurd to think a handful of dinner rolls and a few pieces of fish could satisfy the hunger of even a single person, much less a crowd of that size. It was a natural reaction to wonder, “What good is this when there is such a bigger need all around me?” 

But here’s what I see in this miracle: God can do a lot with a little. Little becomes much when God is working in it. And God specializes in using ordinary things. He knows how to meet the most massive needs in a miraculous way, and He will often use what He’s already put in our hands. Don’t underestimate what God has given you. It could be the very thing He will use for your good, for the good of others, and to bring great glory to His name.

Third, God has an endless supply we can draw from—more than enough.

What started as not nearly enough became more than enough in His hands. Jesus provided as much as they wanted” (John 6:11). When we come to Jesus and let Him be the source to meet our needs, we find that every desire can be met in Him. He wants to meet our every need according to His riches in glory. When we feast on His Word, when we partake of the very Bread of Life, we will not be left wanting. 

Fourth, nothing is wasted with God.

It would have been enough for Jesus to meet the needs of the people with a good meal. They would have gone away satisfied. But when it was all said and done, nothing was wasted. “When they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted” (John 6:12).

Jesus saw to it that the disciples didn’t leave any part of His provision behind, including the small pieces some may have left. He didn’t only provide for their “today,” He ensured they would have more for their “tomorrow” as well. What they witnessed Him do, they would recall in the days to come and draw strength and revelation from His ability to meet their needs. 

Which leads us to a final observation: When God moves in our lives, it is an unmistakable display of who He is. 

When God works in our lives, there is no mistaking His goodness and faithfulness. Let’s be quick to give Him the praise and glory for it (see John 6:14). Let’s be the ones who acknowledge His power at work, tell others of His goodness, and give praise to Him for all He has done.

Week 3 Challenge:

This week, our reading focuses on a section in John explaining how Jesus is the Bread of Life. Read Exodus 3, 14, and 16 and record the similarities you find in these chapters to our reading in John regarding how God displays control over nature, specifically water, and how He provides bread for His people.

Week 3 Reading Plan

Week 3 Memory Verse

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Andrea Howey

Andrea Howey

Andrea Howey is a hand lettering artist in Dallas, Texas. She started hand lettering Scripture and encouraging words during a season of loss and God began to use it as a means to minister encouragement to people around the world through social media. Today, she continues to create hand lettered words and goods for her business, as well as freelance work for ministries, authors, and other projects, all with the aim of encouraging people in heart, strengthening people in faith, and above all, pointing people to Jesus. You can check out her beautiful designs at andreahowey.com and connect with her on Instagram.

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