[Jesus speaking]
“How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 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. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

What was Jesus doing with this miracle? Is there more under the surface?

Sure, it is an incredibly awesome miracle. There were likely 8,000 to 10,000 people there, if women and children would have also been counted. All fed from five loaves and two fishes — WOW! What an incredible miracle that shows that Jesus is Lord over all that we need to live.

Jesus’ preaching about worry is found in Matthew and Luke. Here are a few verses on the subject: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭25‬-‭27‬, ‭33‬-‭34‬)

I think Jesus was also trying to make a significant point and an object lesson to his disciples here. Isn’t it interesting that there are twelve disciples and there were twelve baskets full of food at the end? Probably not a coincidence. I think he wanted to blow their worry right out of the water!

He wanted his disciples to know that if they crave and seek after God and his Word and his ways, they will not have to worry about the physical things they need.

Seek first his kingdom. Seek first his righteousness. And my worries will evaporate and my needs will be met. What a great promise to take to the bank!

Lord, I want to know you more! To know your heart and what makes you happy and what weighs on your heart. I want to be right in line with your will and your ways each day. Teach me, guide me, and fill me I pray!