“Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.”
John 6:11-13 NLT
Oh, to have been there that day. Watching Jesus as He miraculously took the loaves and “distributed them to the people”. The Gospel of Mark provides a little more information, “Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. He also divided the fish for everyone to share” (Mark 6:41). Mark said that Jesus “kept giving” but isn’t that just like Him. He never stopped giving all the time He was here on earth, and He provided the ultimate gift by giving His life at Calvary for the sins of mankind. We worship a giving God, but we pilgrims, know that.
There are of course the theologically illiterate factions who try and minimise or deny the amazing miracle that happened that day. Some say that this was no more than people sharing their packed lunches. Others say it was just a story, and it didn’t really happen. But this account of “Feeding the Five Thousand” has gripped the imaginations of countless people over the years. The story is included in the staple diet of Sunday Schools and Children’s’ Bibles, and it appears in each of the four Gospels. I have no doubts in my own mind that this episode really happened, and the Gospel writers had no doubts either. John was present when it happened, and his almost dispassionate account has a ring of authenticity about it, as though he expected it to happen anyway.
Notice that John recorded that the people ate as much as they wanted and there were leftovers. In fact, there were twelve baskets full of bits of bread and the odd fish head or tail. For many that day, it was probably the first time that they had had full stomachs for a while. God is never stingy in His provision. He always has more in His storehouse for those who wish to be filled.
But we pilgrims must never be guilty of taking God’s provision for granted. It is not just about having a full stomach, good though that is. It is about thanking God for the basics of life. Thanking Him for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and, of course, the food we eat. We thank Him for the natural things we need for life. But we also thank Him for the relationship we have with Him. Thanking Him for His love, His kindness, His Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of our sins, the righteousness we have through Jesus, and all the other benefits that come our way because we are His children. Matthew 7:11, “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him”.
Heavenly Father, we know that You never stop giving good gifts to Your children. And we know that there are even more available, just for the asking. How can we ever thank You enough? Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 