“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many” – John 6:9 (NIV)
As we examine the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) in the Holy Bible and read the account of Jesus’ feeding the multitudes of over five thousand people by miraculously multiplying five small barley and two small fish, there is no mention of the boy in the Book of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. However, there is a brief mention of the fact that the boy owned the five small barley loaves and two fish in the Book of John.
Saints, the sequence of events following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, is chronicled in John 6:1-14. In summary, a great multitude of people followed Jesus because they witnessed the miraculous transformational power of healing the sick. The Messiah tested His disciple Phillip by enquiring of him, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat”? (Verse 5). Instead of presenting a solution to the Messiah, Phillip presented a financial quagmire in supplying bread for the multitudes. The solution did not lie in him. However, another disciple, Andrew, presented a solution to Jesus, the boy with five small barley loaves and two fish.
This young boy’s selfless act and princely conduct can never be overstated. Indeed it was with a heart of compassion and love that he gave his entire meal to the Master, with the hope that it would help a seemingly hopeless situation. It was never stated in the Bible whether his parents were in attendance, but they apparently were raising a wonderful son who was a treasure of kindness in his earthen vessel.
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, gave thanks, and distributed them among the multitude of over five thousand until they were satisfied. Twelve baskets of barley loaves were left over from those who had eaten. The unsung hero of this account was that little boy with a huge heart of love and compassion.
Beloved, from the foregoing, we see God is in control and that He is all about multiplication. And moreover, multiplication often starts with sacrifice. To those of us who believe we have too little to embark on sacrificial giving, look to the boy who had five barley loaves and two fish.
Trust God with your resources, and let him multiply those resources in ways you could have never imagined.
Read: Proverbs 22:9; 1 Corinthians 10:24
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 68:21-27; John 19:1-27; 1 Samuel 26; 1 Samuel 27; 1 Samuel 28
