It was a deserted place, and it was very late. It was meant to be a refreshing time for Jesus and his disciples. It turned into a rally – a lecture – a first century TED talk. And it was well past dinner time.

My friend Rob and I once had a very spirited discussion about this specific ‘miracle.’ He’s a faithful guy with a great mind – and the act of multiplying bread (and fish) catches my imagination for obvious reasons. Rob believes in miracles – so do I – but for Rob, this was more like a cosmic magic trick. I still see it differently.

The disciples want to send everyone away. They want to get back to their retreat. A little alone time – some one-on-one with the Prince of Peace. They act like the crowds are an intrusion, but Jesus knows better. Jesus ‘had compassion’ for this large, invasive crowd.

Jesus talked, and taught, and welcomed, and endured with patience an otherwise awkward moment. Jesus is trying to illustrate the kingdom he has been proclaiming. So rather than just bringing down the curtain and hiding out with his crew, he opens the door to a miracle.

“You give them something to eat.”

Not a command. An invitation.

Jesus ‘orders’ his disciples to wrangle the crowd – sitting them in groups. He takes the food on offer – hardly enough to feed this congregation: five loaves of bread – two fish – and gives thanks. And everyone was satisfied, with plenty to spare.

My friend Rob believes in the power of God to do whatever God wants; so do I.

My friend Rob will say, of this episode, ‘It’s God’s power at work in Jesus.’ And I agree. But we disagree on how it works.

Rob says the bread just multiplies in Jesus’ hands. It’s inexplicable because it’s an act of God. But I believe that something else – something wonderful and practical and equally miraculous – is at work.

The gospel describes the setting for this pop-up banquet as a deserted place. No community close by – no corner store. Nothing to suggest that anyone’s needs might be met. And Jesus demonstrates that it can be a place of abundance.

Yes, through the power of God. And yes, blessed by a prayer of thanksgiving. But I contend that the miracle happens because people have been listening to Jesus, and learning from Jesus, and when the time comes, it’s more than just the disciples who share their lunch.

This is one of those rare episodes that features in all four Gospels. In John’s gospel, the offer of food comes from an unnamed boy, whose lunch becomes the feast. But in Luke, Matthew and Mark, the bread and fish are turned over by the twelve – just enough to have fed them, on this mini retreat that was the original intent of their trip to this lonely place.

But Jesus has been among this crowd – teaching and showing them compassion – he has offered them good news: the idea that God has something better in mind. Not a domineering system of class distinctions, nor subservience to an armed invader.

Jesus preaches about raising up the oppressed and healing the broken-hearted. This massive crowd has been drawn to Jesus by the hope that his message offers them – the hope of abundance in response to the scarcity that they have known all their lives.

The people who flocked to Jesus on that day know that they must look after themselves. No one else will. They must be resourceful, and they must be cautious. They have learned, by necessity, to make a little bit go a long way. A little hope. A little friendship. A little food.

The isolation is a symbol – they have long felt as though they were on their own in a losing battle against the powerful forces (and people)  in the world. And now Jesus draws them together, treats them with dignity and compassion, and shows them that there is hope, and promise, and abundance among them.

The miracle is made possible by Jesus – who reminds us that we inhabit a world where there is more than enough to sustain and satisfy everyone – even a crowd with 5000 men in it. If twelve disciples of Jesus had five loaves and two fish in their travelling kit – how much more might be found among 5000 men, along with an uncounted number of women and children?

This miracle of abundance is indeed from God, but I believe it is an abundance drawn out of what already exists. Drawn out of people who are encouraged and hopeful because Jesus has given them encouragement and shown them hope. In that hope, they are bold to share what they would once have kept jealously guarded for themselves.

With Jesus help, all of them are miraculously moved to share what they have. And there is enough left over to help drive home the message.

We still need the lesson this miracle offers. We are always ready to fall back on self-reliance. We find some satisfaction in being ‘self-made’ and self-sustaining. But we have been set in the midst of a system. Creation is connected. Humanity is dependent. And our hope – our prospects for success – are improved immeasurably when we show compassion – when we work together – when we share what we have in our midst.

Five loaves and two fish become an embarrassment of riches, not because Jesus is magical, but because Jesus’ message moves us from greed to grace. This miracle is more impressive because it is worked through the change of heart of so many ‘ordinary’ people. And Jesus power to change hearts and move us from the myth of scarcity to the miracle of abundance is still working on us, in us and through us. It is miracles like this that bring the kingdom of God to life among us.