Miracles in the Bible: Part Five
Feeding 5,000 and 4,000 people
Matt. 14:13-21, 15:32-39; Mark 6:30-44, 8:1-10; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14
Everyone knows what happens when dynamite (a lower story) is ignited: BOOM! That’s exactly the effect in the heavenly realm (upper story) when God intervenes in our lives. The dunamis power of God is released at just the right time and His miracles (Matt. 11:20-23) or power works hit the mark. That’s what happened when Jesus’ reputation magnetically drew humungous crowds of people to the shores of the Sea of Galilee where He was resting. All four gospel writers recount the miracle of Jesus feeding 5,000 people (undoubtedly 25,000 including families) remembering different details, consequently, when combined, you have a powerful account. Allow me to tell that story.
It was getting late, Jesus and the disciples were already exhausted and hungry, but teaching about the Kingdom of God took precedence. Everyone was now famished so Jesus instructed His disciples to serve them dinner. That’s a problem; there wasn’t enough food anywhere for that massive crowd. Jesus didn’t care about the outward circumstances; He inwardly knew His Father would care for everyone with His dynamic miracle-working power.
Sitting in groups of 50-100, an unnamed, little boy offered his meager two fish and five loaves, and Jesus lifted His face to heaven declaring a blessing. The Hebrew word is berakah, which includes power for prosperity, fruitfulness, and productivity; Jesus’ power was released as He distributed the ever-replenishing food to the disciples. Notice the order: from Jesus’ hands, to the hands of His disciples, to the people. As power left His hands the Twelve received the miraculous, unending supply of food feeding all the people with more than enough for left overs. The same miracle was repeated with less people later (4,000) but, for emphasis, the result was the same: He loves His people, has compassion and care for them, understanding their limitations.
John tells us that when everyone was fed they exclaimed, “This is indeed The Prophet”, undoubtedly One Moses foreshadowed (Dt. 18:15-36). They hadn’t arrived at faith in Him as the Promised Messiah but were well on their way. Miracles will do that.
What’s the upper story for us? First of all, God has more than enough for us to accomplish His assignments since He is the Provider. The Spirit has a continuous flow of power when we offer our meager selves to Him and people recognize Jesus in us. Like that little boy, He’ll explode in us with spiritual power to hit His mark. Our mission? Be available, He’ll fill you with ‘good grace’ as you spiritually feed His people even when it looks impossible. This story dramatizes how we can operate in the Kingdom of God with our desire to help people, depending on God to provide more than enough to complete the task, and watching the miracle unfold before our eyes. Get ready; He may even use you!
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