And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
The disciples ask how anyone could satisfy the crowd with bread in the wilderness, seeing no way to provide enough with only a few loaves and fishes. Their question shows unbelief, since they had already seen Jesus feed a multitude yet did not trust Him to provide again. Their response was also shaped by Jewish prejudice because this crowd was Gentile. The need behind the question was real, and Christ's compassion moved Him to feed the people by miracle so they would not faint on the way. Jesus fed the people and had the remaining food gathered, showing that He can provide abundantly from insufficient human resources and calling for greater faith in Him.
The feeding of the four thousand is an example whose methods are to be studied in carrying forward food work. Working in that way means working economically with simple inexpensive preparations to greater advantage instead of manufacturing foods requiring large investment. It also means keeping selfish private interests from being introduced to block progress of the work in the right way.
The disciples ask how anyone could satisfy the crowd with bread in the wilderness, seeing no way to provide enough with only a few loaves and fishes. Their question shows unbelief, since they had already seen Jesus feed a multitude yet did not trust Him to provide again. Their response was also shaped by Jewish prejudice because this crowd was Gentile. The need behind the question was real, and Christ's compassion moved Him to feed the people by miracle so they would not faint on the way. Jesus fed the people and had the remaining food gathered, showing that He can provide abundantly from insufficient human resources and calling for greater faith in Him.
The feeding of the four thousand is an example whose methods are to be studied in carrying forward food work. Working in that way means working economically with simple inexpensive preparations to greater advantage instead of manufacturing foods requiring large investment. It also means keeping selfish private interests from being introduced to block progress of the work in the right way.