Jesus Feeds 5,000

Jesus sent the twelve disciples out into the country around them and game them the power to heal sick people and cast out demons. When the disciples came back, they went with Jesus to a town called Bethsaida to tell him what they had done. The crowds learned where Jesus was and followed him there. Although Jesus had gone to Bethsaida to be alone with his disciples, he welcomed the people. "They are like the sheep who have lost their shepherd," he said.

He taught them all day long. As evening drew near, the disciples came to him and said, "Master, send the people to the neighboring villages so they can get something to eat. " The disciples wanted their dinner, too.

"Feed them yourselves," he told them.

"Eight month’s salary would not buy enough food for everyone in this crowd to have a bite!" Philip said.

But Andrew said, "Here is a boy who brought food with him. He has five small loaves of bread and two small fish, but that won’t go very far with so many people."

"Have everyone sit down in groups of fifty people," Jesus said. Then Jesus thanked God for the bread and the fish, and the disciples passed the food around. No matter how many hands reached out ot take a piece of break or a bite of fish, there was enough. Everyone ate as much as he wanted.

"Get the leftovers – do not waste anything," Jesus told them.

So the disciples felled twelve baskets with the remains o the five loaves and two small fish!

People saw what Jesus had done and said to each other, "This must be a prophet from God!"

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(From Classic Bible Stories, A Family Treasury retold by Lise Caldwell (c) 1998 Standard Publishing.  Used by permission.  This book may be purchased at your local Christian Bookstore or from Standard Publishing (800-543-1301).