Different views exist about the feeding
of the 5000. Of these the most accepted is that this is a miracle in
which the power of God is brought to change five bread rolls and two
small fish. Another view is that the example of Jesus in sharing what
little was available with other moved those with their own food to
share it with strangers.
Whatever your view something profound
happened that day in a deserted place as this very large group of
people are fed. The story is full of Old Testament imagery. A
deserted place can be linked to the historic exodus of God's people
from Egypt. Moses provided bread through the power of God in the
desert as they were starving. The reference to the people being like
'sheep without a shepherd'
points to the 23rd Psalm and
other references to God as shepherd in the Old Testament. Jesus is
being shown once more as the Messiah fulfilling prophecy.
There are also possible connections
between this scene and Holy Communion. Sharing bread creates this
possible connection. Jesus compassion or sympathy for his people
moves him to help them. He has healed and taught them and now he is
feeding them. He is the Lord who is a loving and caring one.
The disciples have only two solutions to
the problem of feeding these people. Either they should be sent home,
or together they should find seven months wages to feed all these
people. That was the extent of their solutions. God's power is not
considered or brought into discussion. They behave as if Jesus was
just like themselves. How often we do the same thing. We try to deal
with life purely in human terms. There is no other thought. At this
moment we are limiting God from within our own lives. When Jesus gets
involved the apparent impossible is possible. Prayer changes
everything.
The people wish to make Jesus their
king. This was dangerous for them and for Jesus. It was an act of
treason. What it does show however was that ordinary people were
beginning to understand who Jesus was.
Jesus walks on water: Jesus sends his
disciples away and they cross the sea of Galilee by boat. Somewhere
between 3 and 6am Jesus comes walking on the water. He says ' it is I
be not afraid'.
Literally from the Greek the expression
means 'I AM, be not afraid'. This is a reference to what God calls
himself when he speaks in the Old Testament to Moses. 'I AM WHO I AM'
is the statement then. When Jesus speaks from the lake he is saying
'I am God, be not afraid'. The disciples could have no better
reassurance. Did they understand this?
