he disciples interrupted.

"Master," they said, "don't you think we had better send them away
before it gets dark?"

"It is late," added Philip, "and there is no place to buy food here.
They will need to go to the villages."

"That isn't necessary, is it?" said Jesus. "You give them something to
eat."

The disciples looked at him blankly. "We didn't bring any provisions
with us. Master," said James. "And besides, even if we had, it would
never be enough to feed this crowd!"

Jesus turned to Philip. "What shall we do, Philip?"

"Master, even if there were a town near here, it would take far more
money than we have to buy enough food to give each person a tiny bit!"

"How many loaves have we all together?" asked Jesus.

The disciples found, as they expected, that the people had brought no
food. "This seems foolish to me," remarked James. Finally Andrew found a
boy with some loaves and fish. The boy let Andrew take the lunch to
Jesus.

"Tell the people to sit down in groups," said Jesus. Before them all he
held one of the loaves in his hands and thanked God for it; then he
broke it in pieces. "Distribute this among the people," he instructed
the disciples.

"This boy's loaves and fish will satisfy your hunger now," said Jesus to
the eager crowd. "If you eat only this kind of food, you will eventually
die. I have another kind to give you: if you will eat the Bread of
eternal life, you will never die!

"Come and eat this Bread--you will never hunger again. You must hear and
believe my word, for the Father in heaven has sent me to you."

While the people ate, they whispered among themselves in amazement.
Where had this food come from? They could hardly believe what the people
near Jesus said: that he had broken the loaves and fish again and again,
until everyone had enough.

The Zealot turned to James. "They will do anything for a person who
gives them food," he said.

Jesus knew the people were thinking how good it was to receive the food.
"God sent manna to your ancestors while they were in the desert," he
cried out, "but they died. The true Bread from heaven gives you eternal
life. Eat this Bread and you shall never hunger again!"

"Give us this Bread!" called out a man in the crowd. "We do not want to
be hungry any more."

"Do not follow me because I give you loaves and fish--that kind of food
perishes," replied Jesus. "Rather, believe my word, in order that you
may have eternal life!"

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