5 barley loaves and 2 fish

I've always loved the story in John 6 (verses 1-13).

'Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near.

When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.'

It has always encouraged me to trust in God, who is all-powerful, sovereign and more than able to stretch our resources and make even the very little we have go a long way - whether time, funds, gifts, human resources, etc. What we need is just faith as small as a mustard seed - to surrender our burdens unto Him! I have been indeed privileged to witness such wonderful miracles in the lives of the people I know - as well as my very own.

However, I was taking a shower after work and quiet-time yesterday evening, quietly reflecting on this beautiful, empowering chronicle. And it suddenly occured to me, that Jesus perhaps did not only mean to test His disciples... or teach them lessons... or even teach the multitude lessons. But He also wanted to bless the little boy.

I mean, think of it this way. Nothing surprises God. Surely He would have known that the little boy with 5 barley loaves and 2 fish in a picnic basket, would be right-smack there in that place, at that golden opportune moment. Probably there with the rest of his family. (I mean, which little boy can eat 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish by himself?)

He would have known that Andrew would spot the boy and though he lacked creativity, would point him out to Jesus.

He would have known that the little boy, with his dear little unselfish heart and childlike faith - would willingly hand over his snack to Jesus, to see how He could miraculously transform the small offering into a feast for multitudes.

John 6:6 - '...for He already had in mind what He was going to do...'

Put yourself in the little boy's shoes. Imagine...the curious wonder as he offered his food to Jesus... the excitement as he regarded the silent crowd... the furious pounding of heart as Jesus made the people sit down, thanked God, and started distributing the food...

And....

The bread never ran out! The Bible says that there were 12 baskets of leftovers. Talk about a miracle.

He must have been so blessed to witness all that! I know I would have been.

Don't think he ever had any doubts after that about who Jesus was and is.