“耶稣拿起饼来，祝谢了，就分给那坐着的人，… 都随着他们所要的。” - 约 6:11
叙述耶稣生平和事工的四卷福音书：马太、马可、路加、和约翰，都有记载这个神奇和为饥饿的群众丰足地提供食物的故事，这并非偶然。这个故事捕捉到我们是如何地饥饿、以及耶稣如何出人意料地充足地供应、并且神迹发生之后人们不同的反应。耶稣真的为衪的子民预备了筵席！
故事的现场实在感人至深，鼓舞人心，怪不得它会被记录在每一卷福音书中。耶稣轻松而委婉地试验衪的门徒说：“我们从哪里买饼叫这些人吃呢？”然而衪自己早已知道要怎样行的了。
耶稣有能力满足每一个人的需要，想像一下衪为此是多么快乐啊！衪用了出人意外的方式来成全这件事：而衪用来倍增的饼竟是来自一个小男孩。
耶稣怎么能够做到的？面对那么多的人又怎么可以“都随着他们所要的”得饱足呢？
耶稣有能力做到，因为衪是神。这个神迹不过是指向一个更伟大的事实的预兆而已 － 因为耶稣将要向衪的子民显明（我们将会在明天的灵修默想中看到），衪其实才是真正的生命的粮。
祷告
主耶稣，你是生命的粮、一切美好恩惠的赐与者，我们赞美你，感谢你。饥饿时当我们仰望你，你便以你的丰盛来满足我们，你真的是独行奇事的救主。阿们。
约翰福音 6:1-13
1这事以后，耶稣渡过加利利海，就是提比哩亚海。
2有许多人因为看见他在病人身上所行的神迹，就跟随他。
3耶稣上了山，和门徒一同坐在那里。
4那时犹太人的逾越节近了。
5耶稣举目看见许多人来，就对腓力说：“我们从哪里买饼叫这些人吃呢？”
6他说这话是要试验腓力，他自己原知道要怎样行。
7腓力回答说：“就是二十两银子的饼，叫他们各人吃一点也是不够的。”
8有一个门徒，就是西门彼得的兄弟安得烈，对耶稣说：
9“在这里有一个孩童，带着五个大麦饼、两条鱼，只是分给这许多人还算什么呢？”
10耶稣说：“你们叫众人坐下。”原来那地方的草多。众人就坐下，数目约有五千。
11耶稣拿起饼来，祝谢了，就分给那坐着的人，分鱼也是这样，都随着他们所要的。
12他们吃饱了，耶稣对门徒说：“把剩下的零碎收拾起来，免得有糟蹋的。”
13他们便将那五个大麦饼的零碎，就是众人吃了剩下的，收拾起来，装满了十二个篮子。
As Much As They Wanted
Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted." - John 6:11
This story of the miraculous and abundant provision of bread for a hungry crowd is included in all four gospel accounts of Jesus' life and ministry: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. That's not a coincidence. This story captures the reality of our deep hunger, Jesus' surprising and abundant provision, and the various human reactions that followed this miracle. Jesus truly prepared a table for his people!
There's something so captivating and satisfying about this scene that it's no wonder it's included in each gospel account. With a delightful twist Jesus tests his disciples, saying, "Where should we get bread for these people?" And all the while he knows very well what he is about to do.
Imagine Jesus' joy at being able to provide for everyone! And the way he does this is unexpected: the loaves he multiplies are brought forward by a boy.
How is it possible that Jesus could do this? And how could so many people all have "as much as they wanted"?
Jesus could do this because he is God. And this miracle is merely a sign pointing to something greater—for Jesus is about to reveal to the people (as we will see tomorrow) that he is actually the real bread of life.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, bread of life, giver of every good gift, we praise and thank you! We look to you in our hunger, and you satisfy us with your abundance. You are truly a miracle-working Savior. Amen.
