The event that is recorded by all four gospel writers is the feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17 and John 6:1-14). The disciples of Jesus had just come back from the "limited commission" and Jesus encouraged them to get away from the crowds and rest in a desert place. Jesus knew that his disciples would need rest, or they could literally "wear themselves out" for the kingdom of God. (While I understand the need for rest, and I know that there are many who are working "tirelessly" for the kingdom of God, I am oft made to wonder how many in the church have worked so hard that they are about to "wear themselves out." Jesus stressed that we need to pray to the Lord of harvest to send out more laborers into his harvest (Matthew 9:37-38). Will you be a laborer who "wears themselves out?")

Jesus, in an effort to escape the multitude, gets into a boat that sails across the Sea of Galilee, but the multitude outran the vessel. They wanted to be around Jesus; to see him do miracles, and listen to his teachings. The common people did hear Jesus gladly (Mark 12:37), because his messages always left them with hope. This is why we must teach and preach Jesus today -- the world desperately needs hope. And that hope is only found in Jesus Christ! Jesus ascended the hill and began teaching and healing.

After spending the day there teaching, Jesus asks his disciples (especially Philip), "Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5). Philip looked at the crowd, and considered that even two hundred denarii would not be enough to feed all of them. Andrew brings a little boy, who had five small barley loaves and two small fishes, but asks the question, "What are they among so many?" Jesus knew what he would do, and teaches a great lesson in feeding the 5000 (plus women and children) that is so often lost on us today.

First, consider this young boy, willingly offering his small, meager lunch. I am made to wonder if Andrew sought him out and brought him to Jesus, or if the boy offered his little meal to Jesus. I like to think that the boy heard about the problem, and willingly shared his meal with the Master. This teaches that some parents were doing a great job with this young man, and further, shows the faith of a young boy in Jesus. Do we offer Jesus what we have, even though it may seem so small and insignificant? Are we willing to share what we have with others? Do we believe that Jesus can take something we consider to be insignificant and use it for his glory?

He then had the disciples sit the multitude on the green grass (telling us what time of year this was -- it was also near to the Feast of the Passover, so it would have been Spring) and fed them. It was a humble meal, yet satisfying. Then, on top of feeding all of these people, the disciples were able to take twelve baskets full of the leftovers, and no doubt sent these home with those who could distribute this later.

This miracle caused a great deal of belief in the minds of many, as John says that many then said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." But this also caused some to want to make Jesus king over an earthly kingdom, which leads to Jesus sending the disciples away, and him finally being able to spend the time he needed with the Father.