A Day-by-day devotional

January 8, 2023

Five Loaves and Two Fishes

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Job 20-22

Scripture of the Day: John 6:1-15

Being the only miracle apart from His resurrection recorded in all four gospels, Jesus feeding the five thousand is such a simple story at the outset. Nonetheless, it carries with it a most unfathomable mystery.

Jesus healed the sick, calmed the storm, walked on water, turned water into wine, brought the dead back to life, among others. Considering the enormity of the latter, feeding a huge crowd from nothing but five loaves and two fishes appears rather simplistic. Jesus certainly can do it! However, it is not the outrageousness of the miracle that leaves me most in awe.

It is Andrew saying, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (v.9), that brought me to the edge of my seat. It is the fact that God used a young boy to bring the miracle into fruition that made me ponder upon the narrative.

What if the boy kept those five loaves and two fishes to himself? Would the miracle ever had happened? The backdrop of the story is that the crowd had been following Jesus along and Jesus knew they were exhausted and hungry. Philip interjected that it would take more than half a year’s wages (v.7) to feed the entire crowd.

In my eyes, the boy is one perfect example of selflessness. He must have, like all the rest of the crowd, been starving too. Despite that, he gave. He has given away all that he has. And what was the result of such a sacrifice? One small act led to a great miracle.

Sure enough, Jesus would have been able to feed the crowd also without the five loaves and two fishes. He, however, turned an act of love, in the guise of five loaves and two fishes, to supply a huge need.

If you would have been the boy, would you also have given your five loaves and two fishes for the benefit of many?

Reflection: Your five loaves and two fishes in life can be the small things that are in your possession, such as your gifts, talents, abilities and capabilities. Would you hold on to them, just for yourself, or would you be willing to share them to others? You never know how far your meager five loaves and two fishes can go. They might actually be able to help save the lives of many.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the talents and means you have entrusted to my care. Help me to unselfishly offer it as a sacrifice so that many more will be saved. Amen.