dAYS WITH JEsus
Turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie—these are the traditional elements of the Thanksgiving meal that Americans celebrate every year. It’s a time of joy for overeaters and stress for homemakers. And also a lot of fear for turkeys.
The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621, when the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest meal to give thanks to God for His blessings. President Lincoln officially declared it a holiday in 1863. Each year, the U.S. celebrates this time of gratitude by gathering with friends and family to enjoy an abundance of food. Houses, apartments, hospitals, restaurants, and even prisons become bustling centers for feasting and thankfulness.
Small spaces transform into crowded venues. Long-lost family members find their way back home for Thanksgiving. Family members you wish would remain long lost show up to give you a hug. Some arrive wearing ugly sweaters with cats printed on them and jingle bells sewn onto their paws. Kids make turkey masks from construction paper, only to end up running into furniture because they made the eyeholes too small.
This meal is so significant that RSVPs are often required. Many homemakers spend weeks planning to ensure there’s enough food for everyone. Running out is considered bad etiquette. Planning is essential, and while decorations are optional for some, they’re vital for most. Some guests skip meals or don’t eat all day to build a ravenous appetite for Thanksgiving dinner.
Now, imagine you are responsible for feeding thousands of people. What’s your budget? Nothing. How much time do you have? None.
JESUS IS SUPERB
At this point, Jesus is around 33 years old and nearing the peak of his popularity, having spent almost two years in public ministry. He has been healing people across Israel, driving out demons, and restoring wholeness to countless lives. Word of his incredible deeds is spreading far and wide, making him a household name both to the commoner and religious elite alike.
If Jesus were alive today, his face would be on the covers of gossip magazines at the grocery store. His picture would be all over the entertainment pages online. There would be memes about him, and he would dominate social media. Paparazzi would be stalking him from behind rocks, trees, and camels to get a candid photo of him in action. Jesus is a rock star!
In today’s reading, Jesus attracts a massive crowd—5,000 men, plus women and children, possibly totaling 12,000 to 15,000 people. Imagine this moment: a humble teacher without a publicity team draws such a following that people leave their homes and jobs to hear him speak by the Sea of Galilee. It is an exciting time for the disciples to see such a large gathering clamor to be around their rabbi. Because less than two years earlier, all of them were no-names, lacking any prestige or influence. Jesus is their ticket to stardom!
PHILIP IS SURVEYING
As Philip surveys the crowd, his stomach growls. He thinks to himself, "When will this day end? There are so many people here, and I’m starving. This has been one of Jesus’ longest sermons. When will he finish so we can send these people home?"
As Philip is contemplating, Jesus stops preaching and gathers his disciples. He asks them where they should get food for all these people. What? Jesus, are you delirious from a long day of preaching? The answer is—nowhere.
Philip quickly calculates the scenario: 15,000 people+fish+bread+right now=an impossible task. He informs Jesus that it would take eight months’ wages just to provide a bite for everyone. Philip is practical, likely the numbers guy in the group, but he’s also a local who knows it’s unrealistic to purchase so much food from the surrounding villages. However, Jesus has something entirely different in mind.
When Jesus is present, God is present. And when God is present, a solution is present. Jesus is about to teach number-crunching Philip a powerful lesson in faith.
DINNER IS SERVED
Ignoring Philip’s venture into financing the meal, Andrew starts searching the crowd for food. He eventually finds a boy with five small loaves of bread and two fish, packed by his mother who thought ahead. Though he doubts it’s enough, Andrew brings the food to Jesus.
After blessing the food, Jesus places it into 12 wicker baskets. The disciples are then sent out to distribute it, and miraculously, the supply never runs out! As they hand it out, everyone doesn’t just get a bite but eats until they’re full. And in the end, there are 12 baskets of leftovers, one for each faithless disciple. The baskets illustrate that even in abundance, there should be no waste.
This miracle showcases Jesus as the provider for humanity and serves as a crucial, faith-expanding moment for the disciples. Initially focused on the overwhelming need, they now see that wanting to send the crowd away was selfish and short-sighted. Jesus uses this occasion as a teaching opportunity for the disciples and a demonstration of divine grace for the crowd. This event is so significant that it’s one of the few miracles recorded in all four Gospels. An overwhelming need can be overcome by an overwhelming God!
CROWD IS PSYCHED
News spreads like wildfire among the crowd that the food wasn’t provided by a local village or wealthy benefactor; it was miraculously multiplied from just a few loaves of bread and fish. The people are astounded and begin to whisper that their Savior has arrived! They believe the Prophet that Moses spoke about is finally here to liberate them from Roman rule. Whispers turn to shouts. Excitement grows, and soon they are asking for Jesus to become their King.
The disciples realize they have a standing army of 5,000 men ready to march at Jesus’ command. They feel fortunate to witness this momentous occasion of Messianic victory and imagine themselves ruling alongside him. I wonder how big my throne will be in Jerusalem?
Jesus possesses everything a conqueror needs—he can heal the sick, raise the dead, and create food from nothing. Jesus is unstoppable. However, instead of capitalizing on the fever-pitch excitement of the moment, he retreats to a mountain alone. Why? Because the mission of Jesus isn’t primarily to fill stomachs but to fill hearts. The people want a savior from Roman rule, but Jesus offers a Savior from sin. They see in Jesus physical freedom, but he sees in them the need for spiritual freedom. The two desires are in conflict—one is based on power and pride and the other on help and humility.
Popularity doesn’t prove a godly motivation, and a large crowd doesn’t equal a healthy ministry. The Kingdom that Jesus will rule will not be temporary and man-centered but eternal and God-empowered. This miraculous meal on the shore of Galilee is a small taste of the greatness of the future Kingdom. It will be a place where every meal will be Thanks-for-giving and Thanks-forgiving.
DAY 14 QUESTIONS
What are your favorite memories of holiday meals?
How would you feel if you were one of Jesus' disciples and he asked you to feed the crowd? What solution would you propose?
If you had witnessed this miracle as a disciple, how would it impact your beliefs about Jesus?
If you had the chance to become popular, is there anything that might hold you back from pursuing that?
What does it reveal about Jesus' love for you that he remained committed to his mission rather than using his power and influence for self-promotion?