FEEDING OF THE 5000
On their return
the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew
apart to a town called Bethsaida.
11When the
crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of
the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.
12Now the day
began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him,
“Send the crowd
away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and
get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.”
13But he said to
them,
“You give them
something to eat.”
They said,
“We have no more
than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these
people.” 14For there were about five thousand men.
And he said to
his disciples,
“Have them sit
down in groups of about fifty each.”
15And they did
so, and had them all sit down.
16And taking the
five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over
them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the
crowd.
17And they all
ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of
broken pieces.
LUKE
9:10-17
COMMENT
Jesus and his
apostles had just arrived in an uninhabited area of Beth
Saida, to the North-East of Lake Galilee, looking for a time of rest and
privacy to share together after the 12 apostles returned from the missionary
round to which the Lord Jesus had sent them out not long ago, two by two.
But as would
happen other times, the crowds that had heard him speak and heal the sick on
the west side of the lake, when they knew where he was going, followed him, so
much so that they arrived before Jesus and his apostles to the area where they
were going.
(Matthew 14:14).
Our Lord having
an infinitely loving heart, took pity on them, because they were like 'sheep
without a shepherd' (Mark 6:34) and not only gave them words of instruction and
comfort, but healed their sick and also fed them, miraculously multiplying the
five loaves and two fish that the apostles were able to get at that time
(John 6:9).
That day, the
Son of God showed that his mercy is great and timely, having mercy not only on
the spiritual state of men, but also on his physical condition and sustenance.
If they had
stayed whole days in that place, it is most likely that Jesus would also have
provided them with a roof and clothing, if necessary, just as he did centuries
before for Israel in the desert.
But Jesus not
only demonstrated to have this kind of infinite love for human beings, but also
the power to achieve everything we need and He Himself intends.
In attending to
them, he showed himself to be merciful and patient.
With his
instruction, he proved to be the divine Teacher.
With his
healings, he proved to be the Creator of the Universe.
By feeding them,
he proved himself to be the Master of the Universe, and his abiding concern for
the welfare of men.
With all this,
he proved to be the Anointed of God, as the Scriptures prophesied, so much so
that those present there wanted to make him King of Israel.
(John 6:14-15).
Omar Flores.
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