Compassionate Provision ∙∙
They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat! Matthew 14:16
John 6:1-13
After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him.
Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!”
Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”
“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.)
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.
The Story of “Lost”
“Lost” was an American TV series that aired on ABC from September 22, 2004, to May 23, 2010. Spanning six seasons and 121 episodes, the show combined elements of the supernatural and science fiction. It followed the survivors of a commercial jet crash between Sydney and Los Angeles, stranded on a mysterious island in the South Pacific.
The survivors had to work together to face the challenges of this seemingly deserted tropical island. The series kept many viewers guessing with its complex twists and turns. But at its core, the story was about people who were lost, searching for answers. This theme of being lost and seeking resolution reflects the backdrop of the Scriptures.
The Compassion of Christ
Wherever the Lord Jesus Christ traveled, enormous crowds followed Him. As was the God-man, He was true deity, yet His humanity mirrored ours. He felt fatigue, hunger, and weariness, and He often sought moments of solitude with the Father.
On one occasion, Jesus took a boat to a secluded spot on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Yet the crowds, anticipating His arrival, rushed around the shoreline to meet Him. As the day wore on, this large gathering found itself stranded in a remote area, late and without food.
The Apostle Matthew writes in Matthew 14:14: “When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them.”
The plight of the multitude deeply moved the Lord Jesus Christ. The Greek word translated as “had compassion” is splagchnizomai, which literally means “to have one’s inner being (viscera) stirred.” Splagchnizomai conveys a far stronger emotion than mere sympathy. It describes being “deeply affected in one’s innermost being, particularly in areas of pity, empathy, or compassion.” It could be rendered as “His heart was filled with pity,” “His insides were stirred up,” or “He felt very sorry for them.”
Earthbound Thinking
The disciples, being human, faced a challenging situation. Can you imagine how they might have felt? What an embarrassing quandary. They realized there was not enough food to feed such a large crowd. Their thinking was limited to earthly resources, and they concluded that nothing could be done. Instead of turning to the Lord Jesus Christ for help, they asked Him to send the crowd away.
However, the Lord Jesus had a more excellent and instructive plan. He told the disciples to feed the crowd themselves. This left them bewildered. From a human point of view, it was impossible. They had no food, no money to buy food, and no nearby resources to meet their needs. And even if they did, there was no local, kosher McDonald’s anywhere to be found.
A Small Offering and a Great Miracle
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, showed a small measure of faith and initiative. He pointed out a young boy who had five barley loaves and two fish. Yet, even Andrew doubted, asking what good such a small amount could do for such a large crowd. In all likelihood, he thought the food would barely feed the thirteen of them.
To meet the needs of the multitude would require a miracle. This was precisely what the Lord Jesus Christ intended to do from the beginning. It was a teachable moment for the disciples, demonstrating that what is impossible for humans is possible with God.
The Lord Jesus prayed for the Father’s provision, took the five loaves and two fish, and supersized them. Through His creative power, His hands, the Lord Jesus Christ multiplied the meager offering into a superabundance of food, providing for the entire crowd.
REFLECT & PRAY
Often, a quick self-inventory of our resources and abilities finds us wanting.
Father, thank You for being the Creator God who can accomplish the impossible. We refer to it as a miracle, but for You, it is quick, easy, simple handiwork. It is far better to trust in Your provision than to struggle to be sufficient on our own.
INSIGHT
The Disciples’ Empty Hands
Initially, the disciple’s hands provided nothing. The hands of the Lord Jesus Christ multiplied, broke, and supplied what was needed. Imagine for a moment a magician performing on stage. He whips off his hat and pulls out a rabbit – no big deal. Any magician can do that. But then he pulls out another, and another, and another ad infinitum. One after another, loaves and fish were instantly created and handed out. But the supply never ran out.
Starting with practically nothing, the Lord Jesus Christ miraculously produced a sumptuous feast of bread and fish using only His own hands. It was not a magician’s trick!
Mark 6:41 And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves, and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them, and He divided up the two fish among them all.
The Disciples’ Role in the Miracle
The Lord Jesus Christ then used the hands of the disciples to do what they could do. The twelve disciples were first assigned to distribute the abundant provision and later to gather all the leftovers into twelve empty baskets. Why twelve baskets? One for each apostle. I can picture each disciple carrying a large, overflowing basket.
This was intended as a literal “hands-on” object lesson on the Father’s compassion and
miraculous power to provide for human needs. When the Lord Jesus Christ challenged the disciples to take care of it using their own resources, He wanted them to recognize their limitations and inadequacy. Only the Father has sufficient resources.
A Call to Share the Gospel
The Lord Jesus Christ has entrusted every child of the King with the important task of sharing His gospel message with others. He does not ask more of us than we can give, but He does require all that we have. Barclay notes that His message is straightforward and clear. The Lord Jesus Christ wanted them to come to Him as they were, no matter how unprepared; bring what little they had, and He would use it. Even small offerings are always significant in the hands of Christ.
A Lesson in Faith and Practical Steps
The Father meant for the story to teach faith and reliance on Him. He offers practical steps for handling everyday life problems. It’s pretty simple:
- Start where you are with what you have.
- Give what you have to the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Do what He asks.
- Conserve the results
Sadly, many of us reason that it is never the right place nor the right time for the Father to work. The Father has a totally different perspective.
The Father’s Compassion and Sufficiency
Matthew 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
The Father responds to human need, failure, and suffering with love and compassion. The Father is always moved to shepherd us.
This story reminds us of the sufficiency of God’s provision. When human resources fall short, the Lord’s power is more than enough. It is a call to trust in His ability to do the impossible.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯12-22-2
© Dr. H 2025
Dr H Reflections 