Matthew 14:14-21

For context, just before this, Jesus hears about the beheading of His cousin, John the Baptist. He attempts to withdraw by Himself, yet He is moved with compassion for the needs of the crowds. Those in ministry understand the challenge of navigating the needs of others at the expense of their own emotions—it is part of the calling.

This passage recounts the feeding of the 5,000, though scholars suggest the number may have been closer to 15,000, since the 5,000 counted only the men, not including women and children. The disciples urge Jesus to send the people away because it is late, yet He gives them the daunting task of feeding the entire crowd. The sheer number of people is overwhelming, and the disciples are understandably incredulous at His request.

I love that we are told they had only five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus does not need much to multiply what is given to meet the need. Miraculous? Absolutely. Something we can do? Apparently so, or else Jesus would not have said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.”

Jesus is showing them the realm of what is possible with just a little. He is teaching them how it is done and will later give them another opportunity to apply what they have learned in the feeding of the 4,000. Unfortunately, they do not respond much differently in that moment.

We serve a God who makes all things possible. When that truth is joined with our trust and faith in Him, we begin to see that what seems impossible becomes possible. We need only to believe.