Day 63 - The five thousand

Eularia Clarke (1914-1970) | Oil on canvas laid down on board

Methodist Modern Art Collection

Image Copyright © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. The Methodist Church Registered Charity no. 1132208

During the summer of 2020, I came across this picture on the Methodist Church art website. ‘The five thousand’ painted by artist Eularia Clarke (no relation!!) in 1962 is a delightful picture depicting a crowd of people who appear to be listening to a speaker whilst eating fish and chips! We don’t actually see the face of the speaker but assume it to be that of Jesus. All humanity is portrayed in this modern depiction of the miracle There is a stove in one corner with a kettle on it all ready to brew that all important tea. There are a couple of bikes suggesting some enthusiastic cyclists had turned up to listen, someone appears to be smoking, children are playing, mothers are feeding their infants and a few nod off to sleep! It’s a comforting picture as all are provided for physically with a simple supper of fish and chips – the go-to comfort food – as well as spiritual nourishment and refreshment from listening to the word of God. The normality of everyday life portrayed in the picture adds to its appeal – all are welcome and all are provided for.

Two years later as the world is faced with rising prices of not only energy but basics, such as food, we think again of the plight of so many. There are supply and logistic problems affecting many resources including basics such as grain and cooking oil. This picture seems particularly poignant as we consider many in the world who have been displaced due to war and famine or who are facing extreme shortages in their own countries due to climate change affecting crops.

However, the depiction in this painting offers us hope. The feeding of the 5000 from John’s Gospel speaks of Jesus’s miraculous transforming of a simple supper being able to feed many. Everyone has enough for their needs. This communal sharing of food is something we all need to embrace. Perhaps (as resources allow) we should share our surplus (monetary or physical resources) with those who are struggling to make ends meet and who don’t know where their next meal will come from. This is true love for one another as first shown to us by the love of God in his son, Jesus.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:16-18 NIV

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me...’.

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Matthew 25:34–36,40

Lord, make us channels of your love,

Where there is poverty, let us share our riches.

Where there is sadness, let us bring joy.

Where there is despair, let us bring hope.

Where people have no food, let us share ours.

Where people are oppressed, let us proclaim liberty.

Cathryn Clarke