Do you believe Jesus really fed 5000 people with just five loaves of bread and two fish?
This particular miracle is found in all four gospels, which is rare and speaks to its authenticity. I genuinely believe that Jesus had complete power to miraculously feed this hungry crowd of 5000 single-handedly. But, just for a moment I’d like to entertain another possible scenario.
Imagine the scene. It’s a blistering hot afternoon in a far off deserted and dusty plain. Jesus has just finished preaching to a great crowd of people about the dream he has for our world. A dream of a kingdom where no one is in need, where everyone’s hunger is met, a joyful time when God’s goodness will reign, where there is no hostility, no war, a kingdom of compassion, sharing and deep communion with God and with each other, a time and place where love is the law of the land.
Jesus finishes his powerful teaching, sits down, spent, parched. One of the disciples hands him a towel and a jug of water and as the disciples look around they are overwhelmed with the cheers coming from the people. The crowd is inspired and full of hope. Jesus has “wowed” them once again, especially with his closing exhortation - ”I tell you the truth, the time is at hand!”
Minutes later, the disciples say to Jesus, “Now we have an excited, hungry mob on our hands. We have to send these people away so they can find some food for themselves before nightfall.”
Jesus had just spent the whole afternoon preaching his heart out and the crowd is finally united in spirit, they are hugging and laughing, at peace with one another - A perfect opportunity for some real community to be built. Some deep bonds of friendship to be formed – the kingdom taking shape and the disciples want to send them all away! So, he responds “Why don’t you give them something to eat?!” I imagine the disciples giving a little chuckle, like “yeah right.”
Jesus, says “Bring me the food you have and have the people sit down in small groups.” Once seated, he stands up in front of the crowd and speaks loudly the familiar words of Jewish blessing over the few loaves and fishes he has in his hands (which is also part of our Eucharistic prayer) and then he shares the little he has with those around him.
The people, seeing this gesture look blankly, maybe a little sheepishly, at those around them. Every good Jew knows full well that when people sit down to share a meal it is no small deal. In Hebrew culture, even today, a meal is a sign of deep fellowship and friendship; an occasion where all is openly shared.
Is it possible that Jesus knew that these people were not so dim as to hike out to a deserted place for most of the day in the scorching heat without some provisions? So, maybe, as Jesus shared the little he had, all the people slowly began to dig into their pockets and purses to share the food they were hiding and saving for the long walk home.
And of course, all went home that night with a full belly and maybe even a doggy bag for their relatives who weren’t healthy enough for the long day’s journey. Maybe they went home with more than just a meal to share, but with a wonderful story about a preacher who inspired with his words and actions a crowd of over 5000 people to share all they had with one another…I wonder, what could be a greater miracle than that? Eucharist at its best.
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