30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
32 So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. 33 But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
35 By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. “This is a remote place,” they said, “and it’s already very late. 36 Send the people away so that they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.”
37 But he answered, “You give them something to eat.”
They said to him, “That would take more than half a year’s wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?”
38 “How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.”
When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.”
39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 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 his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.
The disciples had already spent a long day with Jesus. They finally sought to get away from the crowds to rest a little bit, but things didn't go as they desired.
The disciples — desperately wanting some "alone time" — urged Jesus to send the crowds away to get food. But instead of sending the crowds away, Jesus surprised them by giving them more work to do:
“You give them something to eat,” He said.
I imagine the disciples then said something like, "What???!!! But we're tired! We've been with the people all day! Can we just rest, Jesus? PLEASE!"
But fortunately for them, they followed their Teacher's command, and started scrounging up food from the crowd... a measly five loaves of bread and two fish.
But this is where the fun starts... Jesus gives thanks for the scraps of food and amazingly is able to feed everyone... all 5,000 and then some!
I know there have been times that I — like the disciples — just wanted to "chill" and take it easy, thinking I had already "done my part" so I could finally watch Netflix or play video games or listen to music or _________ (fill in the blank). First of all, it's totally fine to relax. God wants us to rest, and we do need to rest on a regular basis.
But there are also times when God still has tasks for us... Did you spend time with Him today? Did you say that prayer before you went to sleep? Did you apologize to that person you were supposed to say sorry to? Did you do that chore your parents wanted you to do? Did you talk to that classmate who everyone else avoids?
If we neglect what God wants us to do, we miss the miracle He has waiting for us.
The disciples were eyewitnesses to the work of God when the Lord fed 5,000+ people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. What amazing things will God reveal to you when you do as He asks?
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