Source Channel · retold from John 6:1–14
Jesus goes over the Sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias. A great multitude follows him. They have seen the miracles he does on those who are sick.
Many people, little bread
Jesus goes up into a mountain and sits there with his disciples. The Passover is near. He lifts up his eyes and sees a great company coming to him.
He asks Philip: Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat? He asks this to prove him. He himself knows what he will do.
Philip does the math: two hundred pennyworth of bread is not enough for each of them to take even a little.
A lad with five loaves
Then Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, speaks up. He names what is there, and in the same breath asks what good it is.
“There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”
– John 6:9
Jesus says: Make the men sit down. There is much grass in the place. About five thousand men sit down.
Filled – and fragments left over
Jesus takes the loaves and gives thanks. Then the food is handed out.
“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down …”
– John 6:11
Likewise the fishes, as much as they would. When they are filled, Jesus says to his disciples:
“Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.”
– John 6:12
They gather them and fill twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves. The people see the miracle and say: This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
What this has to do with you today
Sometimes what you have feels like five loaves in front of five thousand people. Andrew says this doubt out loud – and still names the little there is. In the story it becomes enough for everyone, and none of it is lost.
Never Alone Guide: When you can't go on →
Bible quotes: King James Version (public domain). This retelling stays with the Bible text and adds no events. Photos: Unsplash.
