Day 14 — A Boy’s Lunch

“‘Here is a boy with five barley loaves and two small fish. But what difference will these make among so many?’ ‘Have the people sit down,’ Jesus said. Now there was plenty of grass in that place, so the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.”

— John 6:9–11 (BSB)

A huge crowd had followed Jesus up onto a hillside. They wanted to hear Him teach and see Him heal people. There were about five thousand men, plus women and children. And now it was getting late, and everyone was hungry.

Jesus turned to His disciple Philip and asked, “Where can we buy bread for these people to eat?” Philip did the math and panicked. Even a huge amount of money wouldn’t buy enough for everyone to have a little bite!

Then Andrew spoke up. He’d found a boy with a lunch: five small barley loaves and two little fish. Barley bread was the cheap bread that poor people ate. It was a kid-sized lunch. Andrew himself said, “But what difference will these make among so many?”

But Jesus took that boy’s lunch. He thanked God for it. Then He started handing it out, and it kept going and going. Everyone ate “as much as they wanted.” When they were done, the disciples gathered up the leftovers, and there were twelve baskets full. There was more left over at the end than there was at the start!

We don’t know the boy’s name. But think about what he did. He had only a little, and it probably didn’t seem like it would help. He could have kept it for himself. Instead, he gave it to Jesus.

That’s how Jesus works. He takes small things and does great things with them. You might think, I’m just a kid. What difference can I make? But when you give what you have to Jesus, whether it’s a little money, a little time, a small talent or a kind word, He can multiply it far beyond what you could imagine.

Your job isn’t to feed five thousand people. Your job is to give Jesus your lunch. He’ll take care of the rest.

Think about it: What “small lunch” do you have that you could give to Jesus? It might be a talent, your time, your money or something else.

Try this: Give something small today: share a snack, give some of your allowance, help someone with homework, or write a kind note. Offer it to Jesus as you do.

Dear Jesus, thank You that You can take small things and do great things with them. I don’t have much, but I give You what I have. Please use me and what I give to help others and show how great You are. In Your name, Amen.