17 They said to Him [Jesus], “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”

18 And He said, “Bring them here to me.”

19 Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

— Matthew 14:17-19

41 And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

42 I knew that You always hear Me but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that You sent Me.”

— John 11:41-42

When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.

— John 17:1

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

May you enjoy multiplied grace and mercy from God!

That day the hungry crowd on the mountainside with Jesus might not know that Jesus got 5 barley loaves and 2 fish from a boy and turn them into the bountiful filling meal for 5000+ people of them. Jesus allowed a boy to witness His power in an extraordinary and personal way. When this boy did not mind if he would go hungry, he simply entrusted to Jesus and was willing to offer his meager lunch to Him. Whatever he thought, this boy could not have guessed how Jesus would use his sacrificial gift to bless thousands.

On the other hand, Jesus told His disciples, “Have the people sit down. He brought order and anticipation to the large crowd. What did the hungry and tired crowd seated on the grass that day expect? This meal came a day after Jesus taught truth, healed the sick and revealed God’s immense love. Instilled with hope and confidence, the entire crowd looked to Jesus, likely wondering what He would do. Jesus took the loaves and fish into His hands, looked up to heaven and offered a prayer of thanks. Jesus intentionally turned the crowd’s attention to His Father—the source of miraculous provision and power. Then Jesus broke the bread to feed the people.