“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves…” John 6:9
My parents were teens as World War II started. It was a time when daily necessities were rationed and scarce. The ‘greatest generation’ families didn’t waver, they did their part and stretched what they had. My parents said they remember “making do with what they could”, and “there was always enough to go around”.
There’s a story in the Gospel of John of a ration of “five small barley loves, and two small fish” that were used to provide for thousands of people (John 6).
Some of those people followed after Jesus because they saw His miraculous healings and restoration of lives. Others wanted to learn what Jesus had to say about the purpose of life? Maybe they would even see a miracle?
The day was late and there wasn’t enough food for everyone. But a young boy had a few items - probably for a picnic with his family. I love how a boy with a few snacks could be used by Jesus to fend off hunger and embody His plan for both the stomach and salvation. The boy didn’t protest or pull away the basket declaring “it’s mine”. He shared openly – maybe he even went to Jesus and said “there's not much, but you can use it....”. The example of child-like faith is throughout the Bible. That’s all Jesus requires of us.
The boy must have been wide-eyed with faithful expectation on what would come next. I wonder if Jesus smiled as He winked and told him ‘don’t worry, your family will get plenty...’. Jesus took what the world said was too small, gave thanks, and then distributed a God-sized supper for everyone. There were even leftovers!
Jesus proclaimed that He is the “bread of life” (John 6:48). And that He would provide more than just for the physical – He would provide eternal life for all who believed (John 6:47).
It’s an easy default to think I don’t have enough ________ (fill in your own lack). My prayer is that you will be encouraged to give Jesus all that you have. Even if you think it isn’t much, let Him multiply it to bless you and others. God provides everything we need – from “our daily bread” (Luke 11:3) to “eternal life” (John 3:15), and His plan is meant to provide the best for us. He is only asking us to have the faith of a child to follow Him.
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