When His disciples had had enough of a long day with a big crowd and asked Jesus to send people away, He told them to feed the people. He knew they had nothing to give and sent them to search through the crowd for food. Andrew brought back a boy with a little lunch. This lad seemed to have a compassionate heart just like the One he came to see and hear and he gave his five loaves and two fish. Jesus took the gift (I imagine with a smile and wink) and looked up at His Father in heaven. He bless the lunch and broke it into portions. As He handed pieces to His disciples, He instructed them to share what they had. Thus, began His silent lesson.

As they moved among the crowd, the disciples broke endless bread and fishes and handed portions to the hungry. And they all ate until they were satisfied. After the crowd left for their homes, Jesus commanded the disciples to pick up what was still there. In the end, there were twelve baskets brimming over with bread and fish, one for each one to carry. Did they understand that little becomes much in His hands and He gives us what we need and some to share?

We must not take what is provided to us and simply eat to our fill and leave the extra to decay on the ground, unused. Our hearts must be filled with enough compassion that we take what we have and we share it with others in need. The little boy with the little lunch did that. He gave all he had to the disciples. The disciples did that. They took what had been given and they gave to Jesus. Jesus did that. What was given to Him, He blessed and broke and gave. The disciples had another opportunity to do it again. What they received from Jesus’ hands, they gave to the hungry all around them. . . . And I wonder, were there men or women or children in the crowd who received and ate their fill and, noticing there was more in their hand, put the leftover in their pocket to share with someone on the way home? Or did they simply lay the precious gift on the ground and walk away, without thinking that others might need what they had just witnessed and enjoyed, the miracle of multiplication in the hands of The Bread of Life?

Dear Heavenly Father, Being Jesus’ disciple means I am to follow His example. He was compassionate and always willing to share what He had with those searching for what satisfies and suffering from all that doesn’t. Remind me to do the same. When You always provide more than I need, help me not leave portions on the ground. Help me to carry the bread with me and trust that You will multiply it as opportunities comes to share.