When Jesus saw the crowds approaching, he lifted his eyes towards his heavenly Father, giving him honor and glory, committing to God the care of the hungry. With this the miracle began. The Father gave the Son the task that would uncover the hearts.
First Jesus tested the disciples, to see if their faith was growing, or whether they were still bound to materialism and thought in worldly terms, when he asked Philip about the source of supply for bread. We would think of bakeries. Jesus thought of his Father. We think of money matters and the high cost of living. Jesus thought of the Divine Helper. Instantly Philip thought of the costs to be incurred, rather than turning to faith. Whoever looks to money, fails to see the divine possibilities. The disciples calculations were reasonable: There were no bakeries or flour mills nearly, no time to make bread. But the people were there, hungry after a long listening session.
Suddenly the Spirit moved Andrew, who noticed a lad with five loaves and two fishes. He called the boy, "Hand over what you have of bread and fish." Andrew had his qualms, knowing that the amount of food was totally inadequate. So Jesus led the disciples to admit their failure. They did not know what to do, nor the will of God, and what Jesus was about to do.
Jesus ordered the disciples to organize those present, and they seated the people as if at a banquet.
Green grass covered the ground, symbol of the faith sprouting in the crowds. Five thousand men with women and children is a vast number. Most of them had not seen Jesus before, nor his works. But they settled down at his word.
Calmly Jesus took the loaves and resolved to demonstrate his creative might on this occasion. He laid before his Father the five loaves, thanking Him for the paltry quantity. He believed that God would bless the small amount to multiply it to overflowing. The thanksgiving for the few and his honoring of the Father were the secret of this miracle. Do you gratefully accept the small amount that God gives, or do you take it and complain? Do you share the little with friends? Jesus was unselfish; God’s love was abiding in him. He honored the Father and distributed God’s blessing to all.
This miracle recorded in all four gospels is introduced without fanfare. It is likely that none but those seated near Christ witnessed it: and noticed that as he broke the loaves more appeared, and the supply seemed unending. They went back and forth distributing to all. Each would take the amount that he needed. This is the sign of grace. God offers pardon and the Spirit without measure. Take what you will; believe to the degree you can. Give of the blessing to others. Bless them as you have been blest, thus you will become a source of blessings to others.
In Cana Jesus changed water into wine, and in the Golan he turned the five loaves into a supply enough to five thousand people. Surprisingly more was left at the end of the feeding than the quantity at the start! The number of baskets filled with the leftovers were twelve. Jesus commanded that nothing be wasted. It is a shame that today people throw their leftover food into rubbish bins, despite knowing that every hour thousands die of starvation. Do not waste the blessings given you by your unconcern. But gather the crumbs of grace. You will gain more than you can hold of God’s bounty.
Visualize the young lad’s attitude, when Jesus took the bread from his hands, and he saw the loaves multiplying. His eyes were opened in wonder. Never would he forget this miracle.