February 19

Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. — John 6:11 BSB

Jesus performed the miracle of feeding the multitude, but He did it through His disciples. This is His usual way. When He wants to care for a baby and prepare it for its mission in life, He puts a portion of His love and tenderness into a mother’s heart and gives her the task of nurturing the child for Him.

When He wanted to give His Word to the world, He didn’t speak directly from heaven. Instead, He put His thoughts into the hearts and minds of holy people, who spoke them for Him. When He wants to send His grace to a sinner today, He doesn’t send an angel from His throne or come in majesty Himself. He sends the message through a person who has been saved by His grace.

The disciples that day stood between Jesus and the multitude, just as His disciples do today. If they had only eaten the bread themselves and not passed it on to the hungry crowd, the people would have gone hungry, even though the provision was right there. Likewise, if we who have the gospel only feed ourselves with it and don’t share it with those who are perishing, they will die in their sins, not because there wasn’t enough salvation to go around, but because we didn’t take it to them.