Where can anyone get enough bread to satisfy them here in this deserted place? But Jesus, taking the loaves of bread, gave thanks to God and distributed the loaves. When Jesus and his disciples found themselves faced with a seemingly impossible situation, they chose to react differently. The disciples were overwhelmed by the sheer number of people Jesus was insisting that they feed. And it is understandable. It was not so much the fact that they had still not gotten it (Mark's theme) as to what they chose to focus on. Their focus was on the negative, on what they didn't have. "WHERE can we get ENOUGH bread in this DESERT?” Had their focus been on the people's hunger (rather than on the number) or had their focus been on the loaves they had with them (rather than them being in a desert), they would have been led to realize that they were in Jesus' presence, and that Jesus always came through for them in times of great need. Had they focused on the faces of the people rather than on their number, perhaps they would have seen their hunger and inquired (as Jesus did) if someone knew where the closest mall was situated.
Jesus for his part chose to focus on the “little” that they had with them. When he looked at the faces of the hungry men, women and children, his heart was rent apart and he knew he had to do something. Looking at the few loaves and fish that was before them, he raised his eyes in thanksgiving to God who had provided the loaves and the fish. He did not let himself be overwhelmed by the apparent lack that they were facing. Rather, he chose to focus on what they had, and he gave thanks for it.
Jesus' attitude is that of a believer. We might argue that as fully divine, he already knew what he was going to do (cf. John 6:6), but the fact of the matter is that he trusted in God's providence. Maybe Jesus knew (as it has been interpreted) that just as he and his disciples had with them some food, so too did the people. Maybe he knew that if he led by example and put on the table what they had, the people would be moved to follow their example. He trusted. This is what made the difference. This is where he and the apostles parted ways. Jesus trusted. The disciples feared.