Philip stood beside Jesus surveying the scene.

Evening approached and the people milled about conversing in soft but excited tones. One could sense the tension among them. Jesus turned to Philip and said, "They are hungry, and the day is almost gone. They must be fed. What do you think we should do?" I believe Jesus knew all along what he would do. While I have seen him ask questions of people, apparently ignorant of the answer until they gave it, I have never seen him caught by surprise or unprepared for any eventuality. Philip, on the other hand, took the question seriously. His concern was real and, as was customary with Philip, that of a consummate pragmatist.

"It would take more than a year's wages to feed a crowd like this." Andrew, Peter's brother, overheard the question, and Philip's response. He remarked, "Here is a boy with . . . let's see, five barley loaves and a couple of fish." He looked at the other two with an impish smile. He was being funny. Jesus laughed. Philip rolled his eyes.

At this point Peter with the others who had not been privy to this exchange came near and observed, "This is a remote place, Lord, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy food. There is nothing to eat here."

Jesus replied, "They do not need to go to the village, Peter. You feed them!"

"Perhaps you did not hear, Lord. There is no food here. And the crowd is growing restless with hunger," Peter responded with some exasperation.

The child grinned and held up his basket to Peter, more than willing to be of service. The old fisherman managed a fatherly smile and flashed a pleading glance at Jesus. The boy's hair, somewhere between brown and blond, hung ragged and rough-cut just below his ears. His eyes sparkled blue with intelligence.

Jesus held out his hand, "Come here, son. Let's see what you have in that basket." He lifted the soft napkin which covered the food and peered inside. "How many fish did you say you have?"

"Two, sir." he said to Jesus.

"Then how came there to be three?" The incredulous child stepped closer to see for himself. There were three fish, not two. He looked at Jesus. "Mother said she put two smoked fish in there, ready to eat."

"I see, but there are three smoked fish," said Jesus. "Surely she was mistaken."

"My mother? Make a mistake?" The boy obviously thought that unlikely.

"How many fish are in the basket?" asked Jesus again, smiling.

At that moment his mother appeared. "Joash, are you bothering the Master?"

"Mother," said the boy, "You said you put two fish in my lunch!"

"Come now, son. You have caused enough trouble . . ."

"No, mother," said Jesus. "Joash is no trouble at all, and he is quite right. There are more than two fish in his lunch."

His mother took the lunch from the child and removed the napkin. The count of fish was now four. The loaves were six. The basket was full. The boy's mother looked at Jesus. Her hands, and the basket they held, began to tremble. She fell to her knees before him. He laughed again, took her hand and raised her to her feet. He took the basket and said to her, "All those here thank you, good woman, for the lunch, and for raising such a generous son." He then turned to the disciples, "Peter," he commanded, "you, Philip and the others--have everyone group together in companies of fifty with aisles in between so that you may distribute freely."

"Distribute what, Master?"

"Just do it, Peter, and do not delay." Tightening his lips in exasperation, the apostle did as he was told.

The grass on the hillside was soft, green and inviting. There was minimal confusion as everyone arranged themselves as Jesus had said and sat down. As sparks fly from a snapping campfire, word of what was happening spread rapidly. Lively anticipation stirred among them, especially those with hungry children.