Friday 17 April 2026 - Five barley loaves and two fish
Friday 17 April 2026 Today is Friday the 17th of April, in the second week of Easter. The Porter’s Gate sing ‘New Every Morning’. Can you join in with this song as we prepare for prayer today? You are not what you have done Or what has been done to you You are something like the rising sun Can't you see that you are new You might have your father’s name Or bear the shame he left behind But there's new life flowing through your veins Leave some room to be surprised You are new every morning You are new every morning Each day a resurrection waiting to break through You could try just for a start To put the judge back on thе shelf All the lovingkindness in your hеart Have a little for yourself You are new every morning You are new every morning Each day a resurrection waiting to break through You are new You think hope is lost but it's just underground The flame might be an ember but the fire won’t go out All the evidence is pointing to the truth That daily resurrection is still happening in you You are new every morning You are new every morning Each day a resurrection waiting to break through You are new Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John. Today, we will only hear the reading once. John 6:1-15 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias. A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick. Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples. Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near. When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming towards him, Jesus said to Philip, ‘Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?’ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do. Philip answered him, ‘Six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.’ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Make the people sit down.’ Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all. Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, ‘Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, ‘This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.’ When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. Today, we will step into the scene – immerse ourselves in it as we savour the miracle we find in this passage. Imagine that you have been following Jesus for a couple of days, eager to listen to him. You, like many, have walked a long way. Have a look around at those who are travelling beside you, eager to hear Jesus’ teaching. Perhaps you are unsure of how long you will be travelling - imagine that you are beginning to feel hungry and weary, wondering how long you can keep going. As the crowd approaches Jesus, you feel caught up as the crowd surges forward. You notice Jesus in deep discussion with his disciples. Watch them talking together, what is their mood like? Watch Jesus now as he surveys the extent of the crowd...see a small boy approach him with his lunch. Jesus unpacks the lunch, holds out five barley loaves and two small fish. What are you thinking as you see this? Now the disciple John asks you to sit down. Watch as thousands of people begin to sit. Take a moment to feel the ground beneath your body, feel the relief as you sit and rest. Jesus takes the small amount of food, raises it and gives thanks to his Father in heaven. What do you notice about Jesus? Just minutes lat