Do you think Andrew was serious? One might wonder just that. Jesus asked Philip a serious, not-so-unreasonable question. Philip gave a reasonable and realistic answer. The need had already been established. And then Andrew suggested a pittance of a solution. It really does seem like maybe he was joking. (Had they really taken inventory of everyone there? Surely there was more food than this little kid’s lunch?)
Jesus’ nonresponse to Andrew reinforces the ridiculousness of Andrew’s offering. And in the end, the basis of his point doesn’t really matter. Jesus did use the little bit of food and it did feed the whole crowd.
This miraculous sign - the 4th of seven in John - has been the inspiration for so many other things, efforts, and initiatives. What appears to be impossible may not be. God’s economy is not like that of humans. What can be done with little when it is handed over to God?
John 6:1-15
After this Jesus went across the Galilee Sea (that is, the Tiberias Sea). A large crowd followed him, because they had seen the miraculous signs he had done among the sick. Jesus went up a mountain and sat there with his disciples. It was nearly time for Passover, the Jewish festival.
Jesus looked up and saw the large crowd coming toward him. He asked Philip, “Where will we buy food to feed these people?” Jesus said this to test him, for he already knew what he was going to do.
Philip replied, “More than a half year’s salary worth of food wouldn’t be enough for each person to have even a little bit.”
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said, “A youth here has five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that for a crowd like this?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass there. They sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the bread. When he had given thanks, he distributed it to those who were sitting there. He did the same with the fish, each getting as much as they wanted. When they had plenty to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces, so that nothing will be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves that had been left over by those who had eaten.
When the people saw that he had done a miraculous sign, they said, “This is truly the prophet who is coming into the world.” Jesus understood that they were about to come and force him to be their king, so he took refuge again, alone on a mountain.
Prayer
God,
I believe that you don’t desire that anyone go hungry. I also believe that Jesus indeed could feed 5000 people with one tween’s lunch.
…so there are times when I really wish you’d do just that. I’m mindful of those in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and Gaza today. And so many millions more around the world every day.
Lord, I pray for them - the hungry, the thirsty, the endangered. I know I am not in a position to help them all. But give me eyes for the need right around me. And if I can’t see any need, help me beyond my privilege.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.