“How many loaves do you have?” [Jesus] asked. “Go and see.” When they found out, they said, “Five—and two fish.” Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 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 his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

Devotion based on Mark 6:38-44

The crowd had swelled to over 5,000 men. That number didn’t include the women and children who had come to see Jesus that day. As the sun began to set, Jesus’ disciples, exhausted from ministering to the people, begged their Rabbi to dismiss the crowd so that the crowd could go find something to eat. But Jesus wanted to test these disciples of his. He told them to check with those in the crowd what food anyone had. When the disciples returned, all they had found was a meager meal—a few dinner rolls and a couple of fish. Yet, miraculously, with this meager meal, thousands of people were fed!

There are massive amounts of people in need of help and care all around us. At times, it can feel overwhelming, even pointless. And so, at times, we do nothing. But, my friend, look what Jesus can do with so little!

Consider what you have and give it to the Savior. Like the faith of that little boy, hand it over to him and pray, ‘Use this, Jesus! Use my prayers. Use my offerings. Use me with all of my faults and frailties to bring others to know the peace that has been secured for your children, the forgiveness that you’ve given for mankind, and the eternal paradise you’ve built for those who trust in you.’

Prayer: