Jesus Orchestrated the Ultimate Picnic

Jesus had just received word that His cousin, John the Baptist, had been executed. He was tired, and He most certainly would have been sad. No one could blame Him for desiring solitude and time to rest—and yet, the crowds continued to follow Him. They were sick, needy, desperate, hungry, and wanting time with the Lord.

When Jesus saw the crowd, He had compassion on them. His heart was stirred. The One who was brokenhearted still found room in His heart for others. Jesus, who was seeking to get away, still found a way to extend a welcome. Even though Christ Himself was in a time of need, He still recognized and responded to the needs of others. The result was most certainly one of the most impressive picnics of all time—one where two fish and five small loaves were multiplied to feed thousands upon thousands. Though Scripture tells us Jesus fed five thousand men that day, it was most certainly more, for that figure did not include the women and children who were there. Jesus, the Source of all good things, met the needs of the masses with plenty to spare. Baskets upon baskets upon baskets filled with food, when they started with only one.

On that day and every day, He is the One who satisfies. He can meet our every need, both physical and spiritual. We need not look to anyone else for sustenance. Even Jesus’s spontaneous picnic overflowed with His goodness.