Once again, the disciples were in a dither. Jesus had healed and preached so long that evening was closing in. Vast crowds covered the Galilean hillsides, cupping ears to catch His words, shushing restless children and bouncing tired babies. Everyone was hungry! Anticipating problems, the disciples encouraged Jesus to send everyone away. What else could they to do?


“You give them something to eat!” The Gospel of John adds that Jesus knew the miracle He was going to perform, but wanted to test the faith of His disciples. Concerned but obedient, they scrounged up five barley loaves and two small fish. Then Jesus told them to serve it up.
The leftovers alone were far more than they started with!


To this day, Jesus continues charging His disciples with the care and feeding of hungry bodies and souls. It’s one thing to see a world of need and bring the problem to Jesus, another to be God’s servants…obedient, and trusting that what God calls us to do He powerfully enables us to accomplish.