Daily Thought

The Lord Jesus is the Provider here. He provides teaching for the people, v. 11. In Mark’s parallel account we read He taught them ‘many things’, Mark 6. 34. Then He provides food for the people, and they were all ‘filled’, v. 17. Both the spiritual and physical provision were substantial, abundant, sufficient, satisfying. Were the people as eager to listen as they were to eat?

The teacher is to teach with substance, to lay a substantial meal before the people; and in our assemblies there ought to be adequate time set aside for this very purpose. Assemblies will not be built up on ‘snacks’. Free samples are fine, provided the real thing in abundance is readily available.

The Lord also seeks to instruct and train His disciples. He uses simple, basic things; a boy’s lunch. Do we put into His hands what we have, as Dorcas and her needle?, Acts 9. 39. Are our resources at His disposal, as His are at ours? He uses the disciples’ hands; He fills their hands to enable them to give to the people. He shows them the need for order, v. 14. He unites them in a common purpose around Himself. He rewards them, v. 17; one basket per disciple.

The Lord looks up to heaven before He breaks the bread, v. 16. He receives from the Father to distribute to the disciples; they are to learn to receive from Him in order to distribute to the people. This truth He would express to them succinctly at a later date, ‘as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you’, John 20. 21. As He looked to His Father, so the disciples are to look to their Lord, see Ps. 123. 1, 2.

Whenever we look to heaven what do we see? We see Jesus crowned with glory and honour sitting at the right hand of God; the One who was here is there, and is still the same, ‘yesterday, and to day, and for ever’, Heb. 2. 9; 8. 1; 10. 12; 13. 8.

Whenever we look at the common things of earth, such as food and flowers, do we thank God for them? ‘Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy’, 1 Tim. 6. 17. Ingratitude is a grievous sin, whether to God or man. ‘Thank you’ are simple words, but to the hearer they mean a great deal; our Lord set the example.