30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." 32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. 35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." 37 But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take almost a year's wages ! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" 38 "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five—and two fish." 39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
(Tabgha altar with Mosaic 4th cent)
The disciples came to Jesus excited about what God had accomplished through them. Jesus had just learned of John the Baptist's death (Mt. 14:12,13). Jesus wanted to get away and so he withdrew by boat to a solitary place. Jesus was seeking to regroup, grieve, and get refreshed. But the crowds followed him, and they became Jesus' probelm- for there were no places to buy food around. So Jesus took a little and made it into a lot. This is a reminder of what God did through Moses- providing food and water in the desert, and through Elishah (2 Kgs 4:42-44). It is a reminder to us all that God will provide when we do not see a way for Him to do so. This is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels and even the Gospel of Thomas.
Prayer: Help me, Lord to trust in your provision.
(Tabgha altar with Mosaic 4th cent)
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