Bread for Everyone

We humans are all short-sighted—not just those who need to wear glasses, but even those with good eyesight. Peter certainly didn’t wear glasses, and neither did John. And yet the disciples were just as short-sighted as we are—short-sighted when it comes to spiritual matters.

Five thousand people spent a day with Jesus in the wilderness. “Lord Jesus, the people are hungry,” said the disciples. Their own stomachs were probably growling too. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “let’s give the people some bread.”

“Us?” the disciples ask. “People have to go to the villages and buy some.” They say this twice, as if they needed to remind the Lord Jesus that we should stay grounded in reality.

Look, the disciples thought just like we do: Where does the bread come from? From the baker! And where does the baker get it? From the miller! And where does the miller get it? From the farmer! That’s as far as these short-sighted people could see.

He Gave

But God’s Word opens our eyes to where bread comes from. It says, “He gave.” It comes from His hands—from Jesus’ hands! Through Jesus Christ, God created the world. Through Him, He also sustains it by giving us what we need. Even today, He works a miracle, turning a sack of seed into a wagonload of fruit. That is why we give thanks to the Lord who feeds and clothes us.

Jesus’ Hands

But we are still short-sighted. Until now, we have only paid attention to the hands that give to us. But look at the Man Himself to whom those hands belong! Who is He, after all? He does not merely give bread—He is the Bread of Life Himself. He can give us forgiveness of sins, peace with God, and eternal life. That is why He is the Bread of Life. He wore the thorns that curse the field of life as a crown of thorns. Now He has become the Bread of Life.

So let every piece of bread be a reminder of the One who gives it and who is the Bread of Life Himself. Praise be to Him!

Enough for Everyone!

It is said of Jesus: “[He] gave…and [they] were filled.” What kind of people were those who were filled? There were informers who wanted to trap the Lord Jesus in His words. There were enemies who harbored murderous thoughts against Him. There were mockers who had come only out of curiosity. There were people who lived in the most shameful sins. But everyone, everyone received bread.

And even today, everyone receives bread from Him! The enemies and persecutors of Jesus Christ and His Church eat without giving a thought to the infinitely merciful hands from which they receive their food. And those who are persecuted and afflicted will eat and give thanks to the Lord. He sets the table for sinners and the righteous, the great and the small.

“For everyone!”—that is Jesus’ will. He reconciles the world to God. His blood was shed for everyone! He wants to give everyone peace and eternal life! He calls everyone to repentance!—My friend, you let Jesus feed you with your daily bread. Won’t you also accept the Bread of Life from Him?

Five loaves and two fish! The selfish would have been at the front. Then Jesus had the people sit down in groups. In my mind’s eye, I picture those who were sitting all the way in the back. I can imagine that they would have gotten worried: “Now, of course, we won’t get anything!”—But they, too, received their share. They were filled! More than that, they were so full that they even left leftovers behind!

That’s how it is with Jesus: He gives in abundance! Let’s give praise and thanks to Him that we have such a generous Lord!

Wilhelm Busch