He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
Jesus, it says in the verse just before, had compassion on the people. His motive was pure. He did not ask God to do something that would be mainly for his comfort or ease. He asked God to provide for the people who loved his Word and he didn't want them to collapse on the way home without food.
Jesus took what was available, blessed it, and shared it with all that were there. This demonstrates faith in God to provide. Whoever had the food showed a heart to share with others. And the disciples showed obedience to do something that did not really make a lot of sense from a human perspective.
Many times we get hung up on how what God asks us to do will look in others’ eyes, or how inconvenient or hard it will be. But God wants us to obey first, before considering the potential impacts to us. Why? Because when we play the “what if” game with God’s commands we give fear an entry point into our thinking. Many times I will talk myself out of obedience for convenience, if I hesitate.
I think one of the most left out details of this parable is that Jesus “gave thanks”. He thanked God for what he had provided already. And I presume he likely thanked God for how he would provide in the future.
Recognizing God (and his provisions for us) is always a great idea. Here are a few reasons why:
- It changes our selfish hearts to hearts that appreciate God.
- It acknowledges that God is the source of all that is good, casting aside our self-importance and pride.
- It acknowledges in a tough situation what we do have, instead of only what we don’t have. This gives us courage to ask God to provide in a way that recognizes his love and care for us. Less demand, more respect.
- It is obedient. I Thessalonians 5:17-18, instructs us to “… pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
In summary, here is a Recipe for Greatness: Let compassion compel me to action. Act in faith. Share what I have. Be thankful. Obey right away. Then I will see God move mightily.
Father God, thank you for this passage and the richness of its attributes. It models how Jesus and your followers acted in unison to accomplish your will. Help me to learn to follow their lead. Jesus did big miracles, but behind those big miracles he also took simple steps to engage you in the process. May it be so with me too.
