A BLOODY deed had just been committed in the land. John the Baptist, the honored forerunner of the Messiah, had been beheaded. Our Lord, feeling the pressure of the circumstances (for it was the shadow beforehand of His own death in the following year), retired into a desert place privately with the twelve. But He was not suffered to be quiet. Eager multitudes found Him out even in the wilderness. He did not resent it. Though men showed but little consideration to Him, in His perfect grace He was prepared to show the fullest consideration to them. Though Israel had acquiesced in the murder of His herald, He loved Israel still.
His disciples would have dismissed the people but He refused to send the hungry away. As a test of faith, He questioned Philip as to where bread was to be found wherewith to feed so many. He replied that two hundred denarii―a laborer’s earnings for about eight months―would only suffice to give each a little. Andrew thereupon remarked that a lad was present with five barley loaves and two small fishes, “but what are they among so many?” (John 6:5-95When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? 6And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. 7Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 8One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, 9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? (John 6:5‑9)). Neither of them realized that they were addressing the Creator of the universe, “Who calleth those things which be not as though they were” (Rom. 4:77Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (Romans 4:7)). In their heartlessness they would have driven the needy away; and in their unbelief they would have starved them if they must needs remain. Such is the human heart, even in Christ’s true servants!
The Lord Jesus soon showed to all that He was the God who gave the manna (Ex.16), and also the Jehovah of Psalms 132:1515I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. (Psalm 132:15), Who said: “I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.” Accordingly He bade the multitudes sit down upon the grass in hundreds and in fifties (Mark 6:4040And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. (Mark 6:40)). Order is stamped upon all His ways, whether in creation or in grace. “God is not the author of confusion.” But before He performed what was really a stupendous miracle, He gave public thanks for the food He was about to administer (Matt. 14:99And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. (Matthew 14:9)). Wonderful combination of human dependence and divine omnipotence in One person! In His hands the five loaves sufficed for five thousand men besides women and children, with twelve baskets full of fragments remaining. Little wonder that in an outburst of enthusiasm the people at once desired to make Him king (John 6:55When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? (John 6:5)). A ruler who is a giver would be indeed a boon to long-taxed men.
The Lord refused the kingdom. It will yet be His, but He will accept it at God’s hand, not at the hand of man. When the due time arrives He will establish a visible government in Jerusalem and will inaugurate an order of things that will fill the earth with peace and blessing. As in the day of the five thousand, so in the Millennial age, He will associate His own with Himself in the administration of the blessing. Never more will men complain of tyranny and wrong; never again will they know want. The social problems which baffle the keenest intellects of the present hour will find their perfect solution then, but not before. The Cross of Calvary is the basis of future kingdom-glory and blessing, as well as the sure foundation of present pardon and peace for individuals who believe. If the world did but know it, the Redeemer-King is its only hope.
The feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded by all four evangelists.