15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
- P92
17"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18"Bring them here to me," he said.
19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
- P93
When He hears of John’s tragic death, Jesus withdraws with His disciples to a quiet place. But they cannot escape the crowds, who soon hear of their whereabouts. Moved with compassion, Jesus heals the sick among them. His disciples, however, tell Him to send the crowds away to get food. It is easy to react the way the disciples do here: Ministry is tiring and when what seems like an impossible need arises, they are more than ready to give up. But Jesus, though He is undoubtedly just as exhausted, sees an opportunity for God to do something remarkable. - P94
Sometimes we see God’s greatest works when we look beyond the weakness of our flesh and trust in His strength and provision.- P94
When the disciples suggest sending the crowds away, Jesus tells them togive the people something to eat. In response to this seemingly impossiblechallenge, the disciples bring Jesus their meager five loaves and two fish.
The result is that not only is the crowd fed; but twelve baskets of brokenbread and fish remain for the hungry disciples. - P94
Sometimes, as we followJesus. He sets before us challenges we know we lack the resources to solve.
But everything about this story reminds us that Jesus uses those who arewilling to come to Him just as they are. We can entrust the little we have toHim and use it as He directs us. When we do so, we will see His generositystep in to provide.- P94
"Little is always much in the hands of Christ."-William Barclay- P94
The fear of the Lord refers to awe, reverence, and obedience. Godis not looking for perfection in order to bestow His blessings on us; He islooking for obedience.- P95
There are many examples in the Bible that illustrate this important prin-ciple: God asking Moses to raise his staff before parting the Red Sea, Jesusinstructing Simon Peter to lower his nets again before bringing him morefish than his nets could contain, God telling Noah to build the ark beforeany sign of rain, and Jesus asking His disciples to feed the thousands beforemultiplying the fish and loaves for them. All of these miracles had some-thing in common: Each one required obedience in order to experiencedeliverance.- P95
If we want to see the Lord‘s incredible provision in our lives, we do not haveto strive to earn His favor or love. He already gives these freely to those whotrust Him and promises to provide for them. As we wait for Him to act,
we can show that we trust Him by training our hearts
towards humility ,gratitude, and obedience.- P94
Lord Jesus, I so often feel inadequate as Your disciple. The tasks to which I feel You have called me seem overwhelming. I bring my insecurities and inadequacies to You, knowing that little is much in Your hands. In Your name I pray, amen- P95
