Matthew 14:13-21



Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.



This miracle story holds a special place in my heart. Perhaps it’s because I have been there, on that same hill where Jesus performed this miracle.



It was in 2008 during Passover Week. I went to Israel on a trip for 8 days—a spiritual pilgrimage where I saw all the places where Jesus had been. I wrote about it in my book, Mount of Beatitudes. Let me tell you about it.



The Mount is situated in northern Israel just above the northwestern coast of the Sea of Galilee, and it is one of the most beautiful places in all of Israel.

The hill sits on the Korazim Plateau and is one of the lowest summits in the world—only 25 meters below sea level. The Sea of Galilee is about 200 meters below sea level.

I was on a small boat on the Sea of Galilee, looking up the hill to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached his Sermon on the Mount, and where Jesus performed the Miracle of Feeding the 5,000. As I looked up toward the Mount, I thought of Jesus and the disciples and all the many people he was teaching. I was awestruck at the thought, and at the same time humbled to be there.



The Mount of Beatitudes at Sunrise







From the shore, I walked up the hill to the top. I walked where Jesus walked, and I felt his presence with me—the Spirit of Christ—as I walked up the hill.

I thought of the boy who offered his five loaves  of bread and two fish to Jesus. And I thought of Jesus breaking the bread and giving it to his disciples to distribute to the multitude.

What must it have felt like for the boy, for the disciples, and for the multitude waiting in anticipation while they experienced this miracle in front of them.

I was humbled to be there. It was an incredible experience I shall never forget.