Anyway, when I was going into 3rd or 4th grade, I had the great opportunity to attend Daily Vacation Bible School. I was very impressed when I heard the story about the little boy and the 5 loaves and 2 fishes. Back then, at our little Baptist church Vacation Bible School was not near as expanded, nor the caliber, as the Marketplace that 110 kids, and some of you adults have enjoyed this past week. I don’t remember much about the theme or other lessons that week. I do remember the loaves and fishes story. I do remember I was so impressed that 1) the little boy wasn’t told to be seen and not heard and 2) that Jesus made so much happen with such a little bit.

This story about the little boy and the 5 loaves and 2 fishes is perhaps the best known of the miracle stories. For one thing it is the only one of Jesus’ many miracles that is told in each of the four Gospels. There is some variation, but the essence holds in each.

From the four Gospels we put together the story and all that leads up to it. We learn that John the Baptist, the prophet, has just been killed by King Herod, ruler of Galilee. John is Jesus’ cousin. John had condemned Herod for marrying his brother’s wife. Herod, and his wife Herodius, obviously didn’t like this. Through a bit of trickery on Herodius’ part, Herod was forced to serve up John’s head on a platter.

At this same time , Jesus had visited His hometown of Nazareth. He had not been received with love, warmth and open arms of welcome. He had been rejected. Nonetheless, Jesus sent out His twelve disciples to teach and to heal in the area. We also learn that Passover, the annual Jewish feast, is drawing near.

And just now the disciples return from their teaching mission. Just like the team of 50 from here who went to Mexico last month, the twelve return exhilarated. They return exhausted. I can just hear them all talking at once to each other, and to Jesus. They want to tell Jesus everything that has been accomplished and experienced on their mission trip. So Jesus decides they all need to go on a mini-retreat. If nothing else, they need to escape the crowds they constantly attract. Jesus needs to re-group after being rejected from His home town. He also needs to mourn the loss of his cousin, the prophet who went before Him. Jesus also wants quality time to listen to and encourage His disciples. The disciples need to debrief by swapping teaching and healing stories and to bring Jesus up to date. They all need to rest and recuperate. They all want to prepare themselves spiritually for Passover.

So into their trusty little boat they go. They sail off up the Sea of Galilee to a deserted place. Now you have no doubt experienced those times when you make plans, and they fall right into place. Then at the last minute, even after you are on your way to that secret getaway, you just cannot carry it off. Well, Jesus and the disciples’ great escape never happens either.

You see, the people with whom the disciples were speaking down by the water watch as they head off. The people could tell as they kept close to shore that they were going just a few miles up the coast. Apparently the crowds begin to walk in that same direction. They probably call to family and friends along the way to “Come see and hear the One who teaches and does wonders.” The numbers grow. By the time Jesus and the disciples arrive at their deserted retreat spot, it is anything but deserted.

But get this, as tired as Jesus and His disciples are, Jesus does not turn the people away. He does not complain. He does not become testy. In this, how unlike Jesus we are. Often when we are stressed to the gills, overly tired and not only missed our nap but our time off, too, we tend to push people away. We try to keep a grip on our lost moments. We even become a tad nasty about it all!

Scripture tells us, Jesus “had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.” We are not told what “those many” things are that Jesus taught the people that day. What we are told is something about Jesus Himself. Jesus makes everyone feel welcome. The Greek here for welcome means that Jesus made them feel wanted. Out of His compassion Jesus proceeds to teach, to heal and to touch the lives of the many people gathered there. It is good to be assured that Jesus wants each of us to feel welcome. He wants us to feel wanted by Him.

That day Jesus makes the people feel wanted to late in the day, possibly near dark. It is at this point that the disciples sort of wake up to the moment and become anxious. They want Jesus to now send these people on their way. They want the people to make their own way in finding dinner. I don’t know if you have ever gone on a trip with one of those big tour groups. The kind that have buses that hold approximately 50-65 people. When one of those buses stops in a small town like Haines, Alaska, Galway, Ireland, or Costa del Sol, Spain or Somis, California or even in a larger city like Jerusalem, or Moorpark, or Thousand Oaks, that is unleashing more than 65 hungry, potty deprived, and shopping withdrawn people on that unsuspecting hamlet. Unleash over five thousand; for with the women and children, we could be talking upwards of between 12,000 to 20,000 people. It is not a pretty picture for Galilee!

Jesus knows this. He knows what is and is not available. He is not unaware of His surroundings even as He tells the disciples, “You feed them.” Now I don’t know the tone of voice Jesus uses. But my tone would probably be sort of a snotty, “YOU feed them!!!” But again, not Jesus. Even while He is testing the disciples, and us, He is not testy! “You feed them!”

Of the twelve disciples, no doubt the two disciples that we do hear from represent the thinking and attitude of the other ten. This is Philip’s home base. He knows what stores are or rather are not close by. And even if there were stores to be had the cost is prohibitive. The nearest Costco is in Tiberius, across the Sea. Philip is the “thinker.” He does the numbers in his head. This is just not practical.

And Andrew. Andrew is Simon Peter’s baby brother. No doubt Andrew has often been seen in Peter’s shadow. Some of you who have older brothers and sisters ever feel like that? But Andrew has a true gift. Andrew is the one who brought his big brother Peter to Jesus in the first place (John 1:40f).

And now Andrew brings a little boy to Jesus. This boy has a meager 5 loaves of barley and only 2 fishes. The barley was of the poorest grain. The 2 fishes were probably small, dried things. This was a sort of fish and cracker lunch that Mom had probably hurriedly thrown together as her son bounced around the house, anxious to be on his way for the day. So Andrew did a good thing in bringing the little boy and his pathetic lunch to Jesus. But he adds the comment, “But what are they among so many.” Yet he does bring it all to Jesus.

We need to know here that Jesus wasn’t looking for money that day. Jesus waits to see what His disciples will do and say. They have just returned from a mission of healing and teaching in Jesus name. What exactly had they learned? It was only after every avenue was thought out and when the disciples had brought to Him all that they had, that Jesus proceeds. It is often that way with us. We must be willing to give all that we have to Jesus so that He can proceed. Francis of Assisi said: “Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” What is necessary is that we offer back, give back to Jesus what has already been given to us. What makes that possible is that He already knows all about us, and Knows what He will do. Jesus waits for us to bring to Him what we have. The impossible is always possible because of Jesus’ work. The result may not be what we had originally thought, but it will be right.

Are you sitting here thinking that you have much in common with the disciples or the people in that crowd? Do you think you have absolutely nothing to offer to Jesus for His use? Jesus knew what was available and was not, both from His disciples and the crowd that day. He knows us and what we have to give to Him also.

Perhaps you have seen the commercial on TV. The mom is studying. Obviously it’s been some time since she has hit the books. She is possibly a single mom. Her young son comes to her asking if everything is alright. She tells him, in a very distracted way, what is what. The boy goes off. We the viewer see him making a peanut butter sandwich. He takes it to mom. She is delightfully blown away with his thoughtful gift. She not only takes a bite of the sandwich, she shares the sandwich with her son, and they share a hugging moment over the peanut butter sandwich.

You see, Jesus looks for offerings of self. Jesus looks for willingness. Jesus looks for the high degree of participation like here at Moorpark Pres. Jesus looks for others to participate in the life of this church (or another church if this is not your church home). He looks for a few more people to serve on the ministry teams. He looks for someone to pinch hit in Sunday School or Celebration, or to teach the Junior Highers come Fall. Jesus looks for someone to give a hug to another. He looks for someone else who had been ill, and knows the power of prayer, to now be on the prayer chain to pray for others. He looks for coffee makers, someone to pull weeds and take the trash to the bin. He looks for someone to feed His people through a small group. Jesus looks for someone to make the offer of the peanut butter sandwich, that results in a smile, a hug and great encouragement. Jesus looks for someone to offer the fishes and bread. Jesus looks for all this and more so that He can multiply whatever the offering is. He wants to abundantly bless it and the one who brings it.

We have to bring ourselves, our time, our spirit to Him. Jesus does not need my lunch, my gifts, my abilities. Nor does Jesus need yours, no matter your age or how much you do have. However, we all do need to give it all to Him! He will bless what you give and He will bless you. Abundantly! Twelve times over like in the story! Jesus looks for a little from which He proceeds to make much. My little - your little - becomes much - with Jesus.