The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle that is recorded in all four gospels. It was, in other words, central to the message that the gospel writers wanted to convey about Jesus. The pattern of events here should make that message clear to us. The people follow Jesus out into the wilderness where he miraculously provides bread for them to eat. Three of the gospel writers then also record the incident of Jesus walking on water. This was a clear sign to the people that a new exodus was taking place. The two key miracles at the time of the exodus were the manna from heaven and the crossing of the sea. These miracles of the feeding of the multitude and the walking on water, as they are presented in each of the gospel accounts, were telling the people that Jesus is a new Moses, leading his people out into a new way of life. God was saying to his people: ‘If you seek first the Kingdom of God then I will take care of everything else.’ It is not that we should not work to provide for ourselves and our families. The book of Proverbs repeatedly highlights the importance of hard work and earning our ‘bread’. What God is saying is that we must never live preoccupied with our security and provision. Seek first the Kingdom of God and God will ensure that you reap generously from the work of your hands. If you give towards the Kingdom, God will multiply what you give to feed multitudes and replenish you many times over.
Entrust yourself to God and ask him to lift your gaze above the mundane things of life.
Read John 6:1-15
