«Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children» (Matthew 14:21).
I do not know if the same thing happened to you when you were a child as happened to me that you did not understand why banks simply did not print more bills, or you thought credit cards were a magical and inexhaustible way to get things. The people did not know how to interpret this miracle very well on that occasion, either. However, Jesus left very important lessons that afternoon, and we can reflect on a couple of them today.
People who come together to listen to the Word of God have a real need, and we cannot simply cast them aside.
Jesus also tests us today to see what possible solutions we give to the problems that arise, where we seek help, or how much we limit His power.
With the simple menu of that day, Christ reminded us that our diet should be simple, without taint or extravagance. He also showed us that it is really thanks to Him that we obtain our daily food and that He has made ample provision so that everyone can be satisfied. We are the ones who invent needs or modify tastes.
In the midst of the wilderness and without options, Jesus turned to His heavenly Father. We can do the same thing in every circumstance.
As helpers, we must also share with others first and be intermediaries of the blessings.
«The most intelligent, the most spiritually minded, can bestow only as they receive. Of themselves they can supply nothing for the needs of the soul. We can impart only that which we receive from Christ; and we can receive only as we impart to others” (The Desire of Ages, ch. 39, p. 370). What a beautiful and necessary picture!
Perhaps you believe that you have less than five loaves and two fishes today, but in faith, you will see how there are abundant resources in the hands of the Father and that it is enough simply to open our hands to receive and share them. He says to us also: «Give them something to eat.»