The Ministry of Health and Healing

Five Small Barley Loaves Feed the Multitude

All day the people had crowded around Christ and His disciples as He taught beside the sea. They had listened to His gracious words, so simple and so plain that they were as the balm of Gilead to their souls. The healing of His divine hand had brought health to the sick and life to the dying. The day had seemed to them like heaven on earth, and they were unconscious of how long it had been since they had eaten anything. MHH 20.3

The sun was sinking in the west, and yet the people lingered. Finally the disciples came to Christ, urging that for their own sake the multitude should be sent away. Many had come from far and had eaten nothing since morning. In the surrounding towns and villages they might be able to obtain food. But Jesus said, “‘You give them something to eat.’” Matthew 14:16. Then, turning to Philip, He asked, “‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’” John 6:5. MHH 20.4

Philip looked over the sea of heads and thought how impossible it would be to provide food for so great a company. He answered that two hundred pennyworth [the wages of two hundred days’ work] of bread would not be enough to divide among them so that each might have a little. MHH 20.5

Jesus inquired how much food could be found among the company. “‘There is a lad here,’” said Andrew, “‘who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?’” Verse 9. Jesus directed that these be brought to Him. Then He told the disciples to seat the people on the grass. When this was accomplished, He took the food and, “looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.” Matthew 14:19, 20. MHH 20.6

It was by a miracle of divine power that Christ fed the multitude, yet how humble was the fare provided—only fish and barley loaves, which were the daily fare of the fisher-folk of Galilee. MHH 20.7

Christ could have given the people a rich meal, but food prepared merely to gratify the appetite would have conveyed no lesson for their good. Through this miracle Christ desired to teach a lesson of simplicity. If people today were simple in their habits, living in harmony with nature’s laws, as did Adam and Eve in the beginning, there would be an abundant supply for the needs of the human family. But selfishness and the indulgence of appetite have brought sin and misery, from excess on the one hand and from want on the other. MHH 21.1

Jesus did not seek to attract the people to Him by gratifying the desire for luxury. To that great throng, weary and hungry after the long exciting day, the simple fare was an assurance both of His power and of His tender care for them in the common needs of life. The Savior has not promised His followers the luxuries of the world. They may even suffer poverty, but His word is pledged that their need shall be supplied. He has promised that which is better than earthly good—the abiding comfort of His own presence. MHH 21.2

After the multitude had been fed, there was an abundance of food left. Jesus told His disciples, “‘Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.’” John 6:12. These words meant more than putting the food into baskets. The lesson was twofold. Nothing is to be wasted. We are to prize every temporal advantage. We should neglect nothing that would serve to benefit a human being. Let everything be gathered up that will relieve the necessities of earth’s hungry ones. With the same carefulness we are to treasure the bread from heaven to satisfy the needs of the soul. By every word of God we are to live. Nothing that God has spoken is to be lost. Not one word that concerns our eternal salvation are we to neglect. Not one word is to fall useless to the ground. MHH 21.3

The miracle of the loaves teaches dependence upon God. When Christ fed the five thousand, food was not close at hand. Apparently He had no funds to draw on. There He was, with five thousand men, besides women and children, in the wilderness. He had not invited the multitude to follow Him to this place. Eager to be in His presence, they had come without invitation or command; but He knew that after listening all day to His instruction they were hungry and faint. They were far from home, and the night was at hand. Many of them were without money to purchase food. He who for their sake had fasted forty days in the wilderness would not consent for them to return fasting to their homes. MHH 21.4

The providence of God had placed Jesus where He was, and He depended on His heavenly Father for means to meet the emergency. When we are brought into crisis situations, we are to depend on God. In every emergency we are to seek help from Him who has infinite resources at His command. MHH 21.5

In this miracle, Christ received from the Father and imparted to the disciples. The disciples imparted to the people, and the people to one another. So all who are united to Christ will receive from Him the bread of life and impart it to others. His disciples are the appointed means of communication between Christ and the people. MHH 21.6

When the disciples heard the Savior’s direction, “‘You give them something to eat,’” all the difficulties arose in their minds. They questioned, “‘Shall we go into the villages to buy food?’” But what did Christ say? “‘You give them something to eat.’” The disciples brought to Jesus all they had, but He did not invite them to eat. He told them to serve the people. The food multiplied in His hands, and the hands of the disciples, reaching out to Christ, were never empty. The little supply available was sufficient for all. When the multitude had been fed, the disciples ate with Jesus of the precious, heaven-supplied food. MHH 22.1

As we see the needs of the poor, the ignorant, the afflicted, how often our hearts sink. We question, “What can our feeble strength and slender resources do to supply this terrible necessity? Shall we not wait for someone of greater ability to direct the work, or for some organization to undertake it?” Christ says, “You give them something to eat.” Use the means, the time, the ability, you have. Bring your barley loaves to Jesus. MHH 22.2

Though your resources may not be sufficient to feed thousands, they may suffice to feed one. In the hand of Christ they may feed many. Like the disciples, give what you have. Christ will multiply the gift. He will reward honest, simple reliance upon Him. That which seemed but a meager supply will prove to be a rich feast. MHH 22.3

“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ... God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: MHH 22.4

‘He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.’
MHH 22.5

“Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. MHH 22.6