They did all eat, and were filled

The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle that is recorded by all four evangelists so it must have great significance. Elisha used twenty loaves to feed a hundred men and that was regarded as miraculous, 2 Kgs. 4. 42-44; how much more the satisfying of such a massive crowd! It is another evidence of the superiority of the Son over the prophets, Heb. 1. 1-2.

Rest from labour in the company of Christ is necessary and legitimate, Mark 6. 30-32, but we must be prepared for the intrusions of needy humanity. The Saviour’s compassion, v. 34, can never accommodate the ‘send them away’ attitude, v. 36; the weary disciples were pressed into organizing the people, and then feeding them. Are we happy to be available at times when we may feel under par, or are deprived of anticipated leisure?

The mention of sheep in verse 34 inevitably transports us to Psalm 23, and the ‘green pastures’ of the psalm has a counterpart in the ‘green grass’ of our passage. How considerate the Lord is, always taking physical comfort into account! Scripture is wonderfully accurate in that at the feeding of the 4000 there is no mention of grass, but simply ‘the ground’, Mark 8. 6; by then, the summer sun had scorched the green grass.

Even though it was a public place, the Lord Jesus gave thanks for the food, 6. 41, a lesson for us all. He was bountiful yet economical: ‘they did all eat, and were filled’, and yet the fragments were gathered, vv. 42, 43. Never be mean, but never be wasteful.

His shepherd care was once more in evidence as the disciples were excused the task of dismissing the crowd; He undertook that personally, and then resorted to prayer, vv. 45-46. They would need His prayers, for the men who had been so busy were to face another storm. Commitment to Christ does not exempt us from the storms of life. He not only prayed for them but He saw them, and came to them, ‘walking upon the sea’ v. 49. It is still the same; the great High Priest who intercedes on high, Heb. 7. 25, knows our ‘tribulation’, Rev. 2. 9, and does not leave us comfortless, but comes to us, John. 14. 18. Let us be encouraged.