John adds some details to the story of the feeding of the 5,000 that are really important. When he saw the huge crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” (John 6:5). He said this to test Philip because he knew what Philip would say. If any of us were asked that question, we would probably answer similar to Philip: “Two hundred denarii (1/2 a year’s wages) worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little” (vs. 7).
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, had a similar problem with the question: “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” (vs. 9). Without explaining the miracle, Jesus simply said, “Have the people sit down” (vs. 10). They still didn’t know how 5,000 men, not including women and children, were going to be fed. Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, then began distributing the food to thousands upon thousands of people.
When they had eaten their fill, he ordered his disciples to gather up the leftovers so that none would be lost. When the people saw that miracle, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” (vs. 14). We often limit God when it comes to offering compassion on others. God is the Creator of the heavens and earth. He can do anything. When we realize this, we crack the code of compassion.