Luke 9:10-17 Feeding the Five Thousand
“And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”
But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.”
And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men.
Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” And they did so, and made them all sit down.
Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.”
“I feel like I’m a Coca-Cola and everybody has a straw!” This was the sentiment of one of the old-time missionaries in Ghana, and most of us can probably relate. There are times when we have given out everything we have and we are exhausted, feeling that we are barely hanging on by our teeth and our toenails. The disciples probably feel like this.
Jesus has sent the disciples out to minister, to teach, preach, heal, and cast out demons. The disciples have been incredibly successful, but now they are also incredibly tired. Ask many preachers how they feel after they finish speaking on Sunday morning, and they will tell you they are exhausted. Yes, the power of God has flowed through them to bring God’s message to His people; however, preaching involves intently listening to the Holy Spirit to make sure the message is being given correctly.
Now Jesus has gathered the disciples for a retreat in some quiet land belonging to the city of Bethsaida on the north side of the Sea of Galilee. But the crowds have followed. As the disciples groan within themselves, Jesus teaches the multitude and then heals all their diseases. But evening is approaching, and the disciples would really like some food and some rest. Coming up to Jesus, the disciples ask, “Lord, it’s late. Why not allow these people to go seek food and shelter for the night?” While this question sounds lovely and spiritual, the disciples are actually thinking of themselves and their exhaustion. The disciples hoped for a quiet retreat, not another mass meeting. There are five thousand men; that means there might be another five thousand women and children in the group. All these people are tired and hungry and the disciples feel wrung out. Besides all this, the disciples are hungry as well, and there are no food venders appearing on the horizon.
Jesus smiles at the disciples, for he knows exactly what they’re thinking. “You give them something to eat.”
And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men.
Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” And they did so, and made them all sit down.
Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.”
God really has a sense of humor. Not only does God multiply the bread and fish to feed everybody, but there are twelve baskets of fragments left over, one for each disciple. Jesus is fully aware how exhausted the disciples are; that’s why he’s brought them out here rather than remaining in Bethsaida. Jesus knows the disciples need time to retreat, to relax, to regroup, and to be debriefed. But at the same time, Jesus also cares about this huge crowd of people who have followed them.
One pastor, speaking about the need for periodic retreats and refreshing in the ministry, has said, “You need to sharpen your axe regularly.” Abraham Lincoln is quoted as having said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Renewal before and after ministry ensures preparation for further ministry.
Notice what Jesus does not do. Jesus does not send his tired disciples scurrying across the countryside searching for food. Jesus works with the resources available and multiplies them, caring for the disciples as well as for the crowd. Sometimes, we feel that we must make human sacrifices of ourselves or of our families for the good of the Kingdom of God. But in the history of the world, God has only approved one human sacrifice: Jesus, when he died on the cross at Calvary. We don’t help ourselves or anyone else when we refuse to rest because we feel we are too important. Face it, if we drop dead today, tomorrow someone else will take up the work we have been doing. They might not do it as well as we have, but the work will go on without us.
What should we learn from this story? Jesus wants us to rest sufficiently to be fit to minister. Jesus can provide not only our needs, but also the needs of those who come to us. And we need to prepare for ministry and then regroup after ministry, “sharpening our axes” both before and afterwards. May God help us, so we don’t try to become amateur providences, preventing God from doing what only He can do!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to take our cues for ministry from You. Help us to rest when You tell us to rest, so that we will be fit for Your work. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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