September 1, 2024 Daily Devotion

Jesus Feeds the 5000!

From the five barley loaves that had been more than they could eat.

John 6:13

The only miracle that is found in all four Gospels is the multiplication of loaves and the feeding of a great multitude. In John, the miracle serves as an entry point into a discourse on the bread from heaven and Jesus as the bread of life. The disciples lack of understanding parallels the lack of comprehension and trust in God’s power that Elisha’s servant demonstrated in yesterday’s devotion.

“Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks and distributed them to those who were reclining, and also as much of the fish as they wanted” (V.11). This miraculous event foreshadowed the Eucharist that Jesus gave to His disciples at the Last Supper. Even the collection of the leftover bread symbolizes the manna that was collected but uneaten would not go bad. Still Jesus knew their faith was incomplete as they wanted to make him a king and not the Bread of Life that has come down from heaven.