John 6:9 says, “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”
I can tell you what I had for lunch throughout my high school years. It was always in a brown paper bag, packed by my mother. It consisted of two peanut butter and jam (usually blackberry) sandwiches, made on white bread, wrapped in wax paper, and a couple of homemade cookies. I was given enough change to buy two small bottles of milk (4 cents a bottle). This small little lunch really hit the spot. I could hardly wait for lunchtime, one of my favorite subjects.
There were a number of kids that almost always ate “hot lunch,” which cost 35 cents. I talked my mother into letting me have hot lunch one time. I got in the “hot lunch line.” I wasn’t around my friends. I filled my tray. There was no choosing a seat. You had to stay in line and be seated at the cafeteria bench in order. Not paying attention to who was by me, I began devouring my lunch. I must have had my face almost in my plate, when I heard someone say, “Man, Coleman, when’s the last time you ate?” I never tried hot lunch again.
I can identify with the lad in Jesus’ day that had a little lunch. I am guessing that his mother made it for him. I wonder what her thoughts were as she put that lunch together. Was she there with him? Was the lunch in a basket? Was it wrapped in cloth? The point is the boy was there with the barley loaves and fishes. The boy’s name is unknown. He was there that day where Jesus was.
We may feel all alone in the “Jesus crowd.” We may think that we don’t make a difference. Our name may never be mentioned. If God has a wonderful plan for our life, we don’t have any idea what it could be. What if we don’t have any “spiritual gifts?” Are we really needed? I doubt the lad was thinking about these things. His only claim to fame is that he was there. Jesus did the miracle with his lunch!
Think of the simple act of the mother in putting that famous lunch together. The ordinary tasks of life do have meaning. There are no unimportant moments in our life. God sees everything we do. God always knows where we are. How exciting to realize that we can be with Jesus every step of the journey. The lad got to be a part of the miracle, just because he was there. The mother was a part of that miracle as she did a daily task.
We know nothing else about the boy or his mother. I wonder what they talked about on the way home. “Did you see what Jesus did with my lunch, Mom?” “Yes, and let that be a lesson to you. Don’t gobble your lunch down like you have never eaten before, you might get a chance to share it. Think of those around you…”
The miracle of the five loaves and two fishes is really about Jesus, and what He can do. I want to be there, Jesus, when you do something. What a thrill to be in your story. Don’t name me, just use me.
Oh yes, Jesus, when I get to heaven, and see you face to face, could you introduce me to that lad? I have a strong feeling the lad will be there. Help me, Lord, to be there.
