For me, the parable about the feeding of the 5,000 describes the power of grace, love and the union of man with God.
The event of feeding the 5000 goes likes this (Matt 14):
Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We’re out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper.”
16 But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.”
17 “All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said.
18-21 Jesus said, “Bring them here.” Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.
The message of grace and union is in the detail of this event. Don’t you find it interesting that specific numbers or descriptions are stated in the Bible?
It is commonly known that the number 5 represents grace and number 2 means union.
So here we find there are 5 loaves of bread and there are 2 fish. To me this simply states that it is Grace (#5) that joins the 2 fishes to feed the 5,000. It is Grace that joins man to God. In the union Jesus lives in us through Holy Spirit, we do the will of the Father, which in part is to be a witness of God’s Grace and Love in our lives.
It is no coincidence that in this event Jesus used barley loaves and fish. Jesus said “‘…….Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”(Matt 4:4) and inJohn 6:50 “This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.” Yes God came down from heaven because He is Grace and he wants us to be joined to Him, as it was in the beginning. He did that by dying on the cross.
The fish used in this event remind me of what Jesus said to His disciples “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” Matt 4:9. It is when we are in union with God, because of His Grace, we become the vessel with Christ in control to fish for people and have them know of God’s endless grace and love and mercy and……
The last number used in the feeding of the 5,000 is 12. Yes there were 12 baskets left over full of leftovers containing fish and bread. the number generally means “governmental authority, a completeness or perfection”
So, what is left in the end will be perfection and completeness when people know and accept God’s grace, accept the bread (Jesus) that was broken for us and become united with Him.
It is through God’s grace and love, which is seen in Jesus sacrifice on the cross for all people, that we can be united with God and be fishers of people.
My Biblical Thoughts 