Read Matthew 14:13-18 NIV
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Imagine for just a moment, sitting among the crowd that day, watching as the disciples searched for food? It must have seemed like a ridiculous task. How in the world would they find enough food to feed everyone? What they found was the meager lunch of one boy. The idea that 5 small loaves of bread and 2 fish would feed more than 5,000 people had to have seemed impossible. But, with Jesus the impossible IS possible!
Jesus’ directive to the disciples was, “You give them something to eat.” We see the disciples go in search of food. The disciples did what they could… and then God did the rest! But the disciples needed to do something. Jesus was asking them to be a part of what He was going to do. It might have seemed unlikely or impossible, but they cooperated with Jesus’ plan. This is the perfect recipe for a miracle! When there is a need and we cooperate with God regardless of the odds…He works a miracle.
Is there a need that you see? What can you do to be a part of a miracle God may want to provide? Look for ways to cooperate with God this week and to be a part of His plan.
