5 + 2 = Enough – 8/2/26 (Matthew 14:13-21)
Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 is probably something you’ve heard a sermon or 2, or many before. It’s the only one of Jesus’ miracles (besides the Resurrection) that’s recorded in all 4 gospels. This tells us it must’ve been really important then and still is important (and impactful) for us today. All 4 accounts have many similarities, and all have a few differences. I’m not getting into all that today, but I do want to mention that John’s account is the only one that gives the young boy credit for giving Jesus his lunch of the 5 barley loaves and 2 fish.
With this story before us again today, I pray the Spirit will open each of us up to a new, helpful revelation to Jesus’ miracle. Matthew’s gospel shares that right before this, Jesus just learned about John the Baptist’s horrific death. Remember, Jesus and John weren’t just partners in ministry (John was called to “prepare the way of the Lord”), they were relatives, too; cousins, perhaps. Naturally, Jesus was heartbroken and sad about this news. He needed time alone to grieve; to let God restore his soul.
But, as is usually the case in our lives, too, Jesus didn’t get that opportunity. He was a hot commodity and Galilee was a small country – about 50 miles from north to south and 25 miles from east to west. In other words, a little bigger than the state of Rhode Island and a little smaller than Winnebago County. Ancient historian Josephus, born a few years after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, said Galilee had about 200 towns and villages, with a dense population of about 300,000-400,000 (about 15,000 in the larger communities). No wonder it was hard for Jesus to get some time to himself!
Yet, when Jesus saw the crowds (vs. 14), instead of them being a nuisance, he put his own needs aside and chose to love them. He had compassion for them and healed their sick. And I’m sure he got some “kingdom of heaven” teaching in, too. But as the day wound down, even the disciples began to be concerned about the peoples’ well-being, or maybe they didn’t want it to become their problem. Vs. 15: “Send them away Jesus, so they can go home or into the nearby towns to buy some food.”
But that’s not Jesus’ way. He never dealt with people with one eye on the clock, anxious to send them off. Vs.16: “They can stay here. You give them something to eat.” “What? Where? How?”, the disciples had to wonder. “We’ve only got these 5 loaves + 2 fish!” (vs. 17). Jesus took the loaves and fish and had the people sit on the grass. It was picnic and miracle time!
Jesus took the loaves and fish, lifted them up to heaven, and gave thanks to God before the miracle of breaking and distributing took place. “Blessed art thou Jehovah our God, King of the universe, who bringest forth bread from the earth.” Because Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and gave thanks, this shows us the need to say grace or a prayer before meals.
And we see the goodness of Jesus. No matter how the miracle happened, it shows Jesus will take care of all who seek him. Matt. 7:7:8: “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; those who seek finds; and to those who knock, the door will be opened.” Jesus gave to the disciples and they gave to the crowd. As Jesus still does today, he worked through the hands of the disciples to feed the people. God is good!
After the crowd is fed (5000 plus women and children!), the disciples gather up the leftovers – 12 baskets full! This not only shows the abundance of God’s goodness and providence, but that we shouldn’t be wasteful or take our blessings for granted.
One more thing to note before pondering how the miracle happened. Think about how much the disciples learned and grew in their faith that day. Jesus needs people through whom he can work, speak, and act, and the disciples were obedient to him, no matter how crazy Jesus’ actions seemed to be or how awed they were by the wonders he did. We need that same willingness and obedience.
Wm Barclay wrote: “Jesus Christ needs disciples through whom he can work and through whom his truth and his love can enter into the lives of others. He needs men (and women) to whom he can give, in order they can give to others. Without such men (and women) he cannot get things done. It is our task to be such (people) for him.”
How’d Jesus feed a crowd that size with only 5 loaves + 2 fish (no, they weren’t giant sized)? Theologians and scholars say there’re 3 possibilities. Believe it really happened - an actual multiplication of loaves + fish into enough to feed everyone there with abundance! It can’t be explained, so don’t try to discount or challenge it. It happened once to show the goodness and greatness of God in Jesus Christ, probably never to happen again.
Some see it as a miracle of sacrament. Everyone received only a morsel of food; a taste, yet it was enough to strengthen and fill them for their journey. It’s not seen as a meal where people pigged out and stuffed themselves physically, but where they were fed spiritually, as we are when we come to Christ’s Communion Table. They were fed with spiritual food to walk firmer in faith and in greater strength that leads the way to God, as we are with the bread and cup.
But the real miracle may be that in the simple beginnings in feeding of the 5000, as Jesus lifted the 5 loaves and 2 fish, it opened the door for people to overcome their selfishness. Think about it: people are headed out to see Jesus. It’s a journey and they don’t know how long they’ll be gone. There’s no McDonald’s on the way. Don’t you think they took something with them – esp. the families? Some water, fruit, a little bread, a few crackers, maybe some cheese.
Evening’s coming; the day’s been good, but long. People are tired, thinking about going home, hungry. But they don’t know about their neighbors around them. What if they have nothing and those that do might have to share and then they’re still hungry? So, fear and selfishness set in.
But then Jesus took the lead, lifting up 5 loaves + 2 fish. Would it be enough? It was and is when it’s offered with a blessing, an invitation, and a smile. Maybe, all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit began to work in the hearts of the multitude. People opened up to each other to share what they had, and all were blessed.
The first church potluck happened in the miracle of changing selfish people into generous people at the touch of Christ. It was the birth of love in grudging hearts. Jesus fed them with himself; his presence as the Spirit began to dwell within their hearts. No matter how the miracle of 5 + 2 happened, it was enough; more than enough, for as Wm. Barclay says, we can be sure when Christ is there, the weary find rest and the hungry soul is fed. Amen.