Each of the gospel writers records the life of Jesus in a different way. Only Matthew and Luke, for example, include stories about Jesus’ birth. John is the only one who tells us the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead or Mary Magdalene weeping at the Easter tomb. In Matthew we get the Sermon on the Mount, while Luke seems to recall that the same sermon was actually preached on a wide plain.

But one story that all four gospel writers remember is the miracle of the loaves and the fish. It is a story that emphasizes Jesus’ desire to provide not only for our spiritual needs, but also for our physical needs. When people are sick, Jesus heals them; when they are broken-hearted, he comforts them; and when they are hungry, he feeds them!

According to Matthew’s account, there are five thousand men present—so, when you add in the women and children, Jesus ends up practically feeding a small town. But it is a miracle that almost didn’t take place, because the disciples’ initial suggestion is to send everyone home. It’s not that they are insensitive or uncaring; they are simply being practical. After all, night is coming, they are out in the middle of nowhere, and frankly their own stomachs are beginning to growl!

However, Jesus has a better idea. “They need not go away,” he tells the disciples. “You give them something to eat.”

I wish I had been there to see the look on their faces. They must have figured that Jesus had been standing out in the sun too long. “Lord, there are over five thousand hungry people out there. How can you possibly ask us to give them something to eat? We barely have enough to feed ourselves.”

“Then bring me what you have,” says Jesus.

If you ask me, that invitation is the key to understanding this whole story, because while God is ultimately responsible for this miracle, the disciples still have their part to do. Put another way, this is not a story in which the disciples just get to sit back and relax. It is almost as if Jesus has said, “Stop thinking that bread is suddenly going to fall from the sky and start sharing what you already possess!”

“Bring me what you have”—that’s always the point when true discipleship begins, isn’t it? We are not called upon to sit idly around waiting for God to take care of every crisis. We are called upon to do what we can, where we are, with what we have.

To be sure, there are times when we will look at our meager contributions and think that they are hopelessly inadequate for the task at hand. But God looks at the very same offering and says, “I can do wonders with that! Just bring it to me.”