The disciples said to Jesus, “Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.” But Jesus said, “You feed them.” Dumbfounded, they asked, “With what?” “How much bread do you have?” Jesus asked. “Go and find out.” They came back and reported, “We have 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.” (Mark 6:36-38)
Lord Jesus, I am so glad fish and fishing were a regular part of your incarnate life, as it’s a sport and friendship-builder you greatly use in my life. When you called and commissioned your disciples (Lk.5:10-11), and tenderly cared for them, fishing played an important role (Jn.21:3-17).
This morning I’m greatly encouraged by the story of you feeding 5000 men and their families with a mere five loaves of bread and two fish—a miracle indeed. But more than a miracle, it was a mercy—a mercy because you performed this miracle through weak, dumbfounded, skeptical disciples. That’s “my people”—for I am just like them, Jesus.
As we take the Gospel to the nations, this same story plays out over and over and over. When you say to us, “You feed them,” it’s our opportunity to bring our “very-little-ness” to your “very-much-ness.” That’s always the way of the Gospel. All we contributed to our salvation was our need. All we bring to the salvation of the nations is your promise, faithfulness, and grace—and that is about 10,000 times enough.
Until you return, we will always be “5 loaves and 2 fish disciples”—utterly dependent on the God who raises the dead. One Day the earth will be filed with your glory. One Day your impossible-to-count, every-nation Bride will populate the new heaven and new earth. You are that mighty, and you are that merciful to use us. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.