Some phrases in the Bible are considered insignificant from the human perspective. The biblical authors were not writing assignments to fill the quota of words. There is no unnecessary or unwarranted word, as the Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit. One such phrase is in the John’s gospel. The Lord Jesus Christ fed the five-thousand-plus crowd. This miracle has been recorded in all the four gospels. Interestingly, in the writing of John, he gives important information that, ‘there was much grass in the place.’ (John 6:10)
Season: Bible scholars would understand the season in which the incident occurred. It was not a dry summer when all the grass in the field dries. Sitting on dried grass would not have been convenient. Fresh green grass provides a healthy and tidy option to sit conveniently listen, learn, feast, and fellowship.
Shepherd: John signifies in essence that the Shepherd feeds the sheep as King David portrayed. (Psalm 23) The shepherd leads the sheep into green pastures and provides them still clean drinking water. Perhaps, John could repeat the psalm by heart, as he saw the miraculous feeding of the crowd. John was overwhelmed by witnessing the Lord as the shepherd of his people.
Significance: This miracle happened during the Passover Feast. (John 6:4) With five loaves and two fish donated by a boy, the Lord gave them abundant miraculous food like Manna from heaven given by Moses in the wilderness. Later, the Lord Himself explains that He is the Bread of Life. (John 6:35)
Satisfaction: The Lord Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd gave the crowd great teaching that satisfied their souls. Neither were their souls nor their stomachs were empty.
Surplus: All the five thousand men along with women and children were satisfied with the food. They could not eat all of the miraculous provisions. The Lord commanded the disciples to collect the fragments which were twelve baskets full. The disciples who wondered how to provide food to the multitude learned the surplus supply of God’s generosity and His faithfulness.
Am I a grateful sheep of the Great Shepherd?