The feeding of the five thousand. We Presbyterians love to eat and this is the greatest meal ever offered by the Lord. The Lord's Supper is fine of course, but for sheer volume...
This may be Jesus' best known miracle, based on the simple power demonstrated, five loaves and two fish-loaves probably the size of slider rolls, and fish smaller than Fillet 'O Fish patties-to enough to feed five thousand men, and at least another five thousand women and children, and twelve baskets of leftovers.
I have heard two powerful sermons on the feeding of the five thousand. The first spoke to the miraculous power of God exhibited in Jesus, turning something that would fit into a small brown paper bag into food that would feed so many. The second spoke away from the power of God in multiplying the loaves and fish. Rather, it was a miracle of cooperation, one young man leading the way, offering up what he had demonstrating to the others in the crowd who carried their own food, enough for themselves, but not willing to share.
What is the difference? An entire theology of the miraculous power of God. Is there the actual provision of food on a miraculous basis? The duplication by divine intent of loaves and fishes? Or is the power of God not so extended into the human realm? Does the power of God manifest itself differently?
How should we let this miracle inform our belief in God's work in the church? We shall consider that on Sunday.
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