Communion With the Christ:: Loaves & Fishes

“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jhn:6:9a

Some, in Christian Circles, are looking out at the world, and the times in-which we are living, and they are coming to feel that our only option as Christians is for us to “hang on” until the end. Some believers, have defaulted to an almost "siege mentality”. Some believers are saying "there is nothing we can do, darkness is coming down around us, and we do not have the resources to reach the world and the multitudes around us".

the Multitude Comes.

The miracle of the Loaves and Fishes is recorded in all four of the Gospel accounts, but only St. John highlights the involvement of the “young boy” who was present and who had in his possession five small loaves of barley and two fishes.

We are told by St. John that a great multitude was following, Jesus even as he crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee or also called the Sea of Tiberias.

The people saw the healings which Jesus preformed. The Disciples saw that, there was power to what Jesus was doing and they wanted that power to come into their lives.

"Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick."Jhn:6:1-2

Jesus, here in this rural place, climes to a mountainside and there sits with his Disciples and looks out and sees the crowd approaching him.

"Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near."(3-5)

Jesus, seeing the people, already knew their need. Jesus, would use the collective need of the approaching crowd to give a greater revelation about himself as the very Lord and Savior whom they had long sought. Jesus, would have all his Disciples' participation with Jesus in the ministry of his Kingdom.

"Jesus said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do."(5b-6)

St. Philip looked out at the crowd which was converging upon them and is apparently in doubt as how they will deal with the problem of providing enough food for such a large gathering and St. Phillip expresses this to Jesus.

"Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (7)

St. Philip was "saying we do not have the means to feed them". St. Philip saw it as a matter of not enough resources or money. St. Philip looked at what they, the Disciples lacked, he should have seen what, or better, who they had. St. Philips should have after his time with Jesus known that, with Jesus there would be a solution and answer to the problem.

Here is a Boy

At this juncture, St. Andrew, who had been looking on and hearing the conversation between Jesus and St. Philip, points out that present with the group is a boy who has five loaves and two fishes.

"Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish"(8-9a)

St. Andrew who was St. Peter’s brother, at least pointed out that there was one among them who had something to offer, yet, St. Andrew still looked upon the size of the offering rather than who is with them.

"but how far will they go among so many?” (9b)

These five loaves and the two fishes in the hand of a boy was not much to offer but it was something and the narrative of the Scripture does not record any objection by the boy to placing his meager offering into the hands of Jesus, and when brought to Jesus he was able to uses it mightily to minster to the throng of the hungry multitude of people.

Jesus Uses Little to do Much

Jesus then instructs the Disciples to have the people sit in organized groups so that he might minster to them.

"Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there)". (10)

After the crowd is settled, Jesus then receives the boy's offering of the loaves and fishes and commits the meager offering to the glory and his Father through the giving of thanks.

"Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish."(11)

This giving of thanks is a vital part of the account, we are told in the Psalms that "it is good to give thanks to God”, but thanking God is more than a formality it is in preparation for us to be the recipients of the very salvation of God and is vital for us to see that salvation come powerfully into each and all of our lives, not only in eternal life, but seeing that salvation in the everyday problems which we all encounter in life.

"Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and whoever orders his conduct, I will show him the salvation of God." Ps: 50:23

After Jesus' offering of thanks, he has his Disciples distribute the meal of bread and fish. The working of our Lord is more than enough for the great crowd of people who had come to Jesus, none went hungry.

What started out as a discussion between Jesus and St. Philip of having very little means to minster to such a great multitude ends up being a statement about the power of Jesus to resolves problems and to provide abundant resources when and where they seem not be, and is a lesson about our and our participation with offering what we have to our Lord for his uses.

"When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten." (12-13)

After the people ate and saw the power of God they begin to consider and discuss if Jesus is the very one long awaited Messiah. It seems from the narrative which St. John provides us, that it was somehow known among the people that the bread and fish which was presented to them was provided by divine means which led them to consider who Jesus is, that is "is he the Messiah?"

"After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” (14)

The Boy Held the Answer

Jesus, here used the small amount given by a boy to do a great thing. This boy was present and had in his hand the five loaves and two fishes, a small solution to a big problem, he just needed someone to point the boy out.

Jesus, of course, was fully aware that this boy was among them having in his hand a small solution just waiting to be brought him.

"for he already had in mind what he was going to do."(6)

Jesus also wanted his Disciples to realize that ministry is not just for the "professionals" and that the ministry is for all followers of Jesus, even a "boy".

Yet, it was this small offering that ended up making a big difference in the lives of many people. This young boy had the answer, but just didn’t know that he had it until it was put in the hand of Jesus.

Jesus' purpose in this place was accomplished and his intended purpose was fulfilled.

"They were all filled" (13)

As result, somewhere said “this is”- “the Prophet” – they began to believe and to trust in the power of Jesus.

Which Are We?

When we face challenges in ministry are we like St. Philip? who looked at the world, the multitude, and concludes that we cannot reach them for lack of resources? When we do that, it causes us to look inward and limits the Christian experience to those who already believe.

St. Andrew, at least, acknowledges something to work with, but he did not see how much good it would do, he too was looking at "amounts" not to Jesus. In the hands of Jesus, a little is a lot.

Too many in the Churches today see the scope of the work of the Gospel, but cannot see how it can be accomplished. The world around us needs to hear the Gospel about Jesus and the Kingdom of God.

Are we liking the young boy with the Loaves & Fishes? – this boy had the answer, but didn’t realize it, someone had to point him out-, he was there, was holding the answer to the situation. But once it was brought to Jesus, Jesus was able to put that little to great use, to make it go further than any could possibly imagine.

Are One of Us Holding the Answer

Maybe one of us is holding the answer to what God intends for His work among us. Maybe that little which seems to be of no great use, is intended by Jesus to go along way, if we just bring it to Jesus.

We might look at our small congregation(s) or the size of our funds or resources and see little, yet in Jesus’ hand it can do more then we imagine. Jesus knows already what he will do with it, if we will but bring it to him.

Can you imagine the surprise that young boy had to see Jesus use his offering in this way?

Jesus can take our small amount, the little we have to offer and accomplish his purpose so that others might believe. We may not think that we have anything Jesus can use but what e little we have Jesus can make go far beyond what we ever thought it could.

We should not hesitate to bring that small offering of our Loaves & Fishes to Jesus, and let him use it as he will; Jesus will do great things beyond what we imagine.

Benediction: May we each and all bring our Loaves and Fishes to Jesus to uses as he will that others can see that He is the Christ the Son of the Living God, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.