Five Loaves . . . & . . . Two Fish

Returning from their journey (Luke 9:3-6) the apostles reported every detail of their experiences to Jesus (Luke 9:10).

Were they surprised again when he “took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida”?

Were the Twelve expecting a quiet time alone with Jesus? If so, they were soon disappointed. Crowds of people were following Jesus wherever he went.

“He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing” (Luke 9:11).

“Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here’ ” (Luke 9:12).

Then came another surprise: Jesus replied -- “You give them something to eat.”

“We have only five loaves of bread and two fish”.

Jesus takes the loaves and fishes and gives thanks. Then the astonished apostles take the bread and fish and distribute them among the crowd that numbers well over 5,000 people. Miraculously, surprisingly, Jesus multiplied what seemed like very little given the size of the crowd.

“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over” (Luke 9:17).

Their baskets were empty when the disciples left for their retreat with Jesus. After watching him multiply the loaves and fish, their baskets overflowed.

Where would you like to see Jesus multiply resources in the coming year?

Take nothing for your journey

 "Take nothing for the road, neither a staff, not a wallet"

Jesus continually surprised his disciples. He gave them “power and authority to drive out all demons and cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick” (Luke 9:1-2).  

Imagine how the Twelve responded: were they excited, or a little fearful?

Even more surprising were his next words,  “Take nothing for the road, neither a staff, nor a wallet, nor bread nor money, nor two tunics” (Luke 9:3 Barclay).

Here Jesus invites his first followers to join him on mission.

Just go, don’t wait to pack or make special preparations. Did the disciples hesitate? Did anyone grumble? How would you respond?

Jesus adds still more unusual directions: “Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town” (Luke 9:4).

“If anyone won’t receive you, go out of that town and wipe the dust off your feet as evidence against them” (Luke 9:5 Wright).

Immediately Luke summarizes the results “So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere” (Luke 9:6).

As N.T. Wright comments, Jesus “was beginning to share his vocation with them. They needed to learn to do what he was doing, to trust God like he trusted God.”

Jesus still invites his followers to join him on mission today.

Are we ready to build relationships with our neighbors? Are we prepared to share the good news of the gospel where we live and work? Will we pray faithfully for sick family members and friends?

We are commissioned by Jesus just as the Twelve were in Luke 9. 

Let’s go.