Jesus Fed Five Thousand Men
(Matthew 14: 13-21; Mark 6: 31 – 4; Luke 9: 10-17; John 6: 1-14) Linked
∗ Jesus and His disciples come to Bethsaida.
∗ Jesus wanted to take rest. The crowd gathered again. Jesus started preaching and
healing the people.
∗ When the day is done, the disciples wanted to send the crowd away.
∗ But Jesus said, “Give ye them to eat.”
∗ Philip never thought of the miracles of Jesus. He was only thinking about the cost of buying food for the five thousand men, when Jesus asked where they could get food.
∗ When Andrew was tested by Jesus, he revealed that there was boy with five loaves of bread and two fish. But he too said that it wouldn’t be sufficient for that many people.
∗ Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish and looks up to heaven.
∗ There was enough and more for the whole five thousand and plus.
Four Thousand Fed
(Matthew 15: 32-39;Mark 8: 1-10) Linked
∗ This is also almost the same incident where Jesus is compassionate and feeds them with great care and concern. The Word of God is linked for your reference.
THE EAGERNESS OF THE MULTITUDE:
∗ The crowd followed Him because they believed Him.
∗ Even when Jesus and His disciples left on a boat, people noted their direction and they were there ahead of them.∗
∗ The crowd was like sheep following the Shepherd.
∗ They had the spiritual need, neglecting their Physical need.
∗ The crowd obeyed Jesus with implicit obedience, when he asked them to sit on the grass for the food to be served.
∗ The crowed was satisfied.
THE ANXIETY OF THE DISCIPLES
∗ The disciples suggested Jesus to send the crowd away. They didn’t want to take up the responsibility.
∗ The disciples balked at this challenge. They saw five thousand men (plus woman and children) and only five loaves and two fish. They saw no way to feed the crowd without going out to buy food for everyone.
∗ The disciples had negative thoughts that the food was not enough and had disbelief in God’s provision.
∗ They were quite materialistic.
∗ Philip and Andrew never thought of the miracles of Jesus.
∗ So the disciples doubted, worried and unsatisfied.
∗ Philip had little faith.
∗ Andrew’s faith was slightly better.
∗ The twelve baskets of leftovers refered to the spiritually shortsighted apostles.
With reference to the Gospels
JESUS ………
∗ …..is compassionate, (Matthew 15 : 32 – Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “ ….I have compassion on the multitude,) for he loves us.
∗ …..is the Shepherd, (Mark 6 : 34 -” … they were like sheep without shepherd….”) for He preaches, teaches and heals us.
is caring (Matthew 15 : – 32 – “And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”) He fills us with His Holy Spirit.
∗ ……is miraculous, (Matthew 15 : 36 – “And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.”) for He does the will of God.
∗ …….is thankful. (Matthew 15 : 36 – “and gave thanks,”) He gives thanks to His Father, for He wants us to thank Him always.
∗ …….is responsible. (Matthew 15 : 39 – “And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.”) Only after sending the multitude, he leaves, for He is responsible for our souls.
∗ …….never wastes, – (John 6 : 12 “…so that nothing is lost.”) for He doesn’t want a soul to be lost.
Let’s compare and contrast…….
Jesus feeding five thousand
1. No of people: Five thousand and more
2. Time spent with Jesus: One day
3. Food available: Five loaves of bread and two fish
4. Left over: Twelve baskets of bread and fish crumbs.
5. This miracle happened in a deserted place belonging to the city of Bethsaida.
Jesus feeding four thousand
1. No of people: About four thousand
2. Time spent with Jesus: Three days
3. Food available: Seven loaves of bread and some small fishes
4. Left over: Seven large baskets
5. This miracle happened in the desert region of the Decapolis.
In brief……
∗ The multitude believed that Jesus is the Messiah.
∗ They obeyed Jesus.
∗ They were satisfied with Jesus.
AND
∗ The disciples were unfaithful.
∗ They were materialistic.
∗ They were irresponsible.
AND
* Jesus is faithful to the Lord.
* Jesus gives thanks to God.
* Jesus is holy.
As a result the food was in plenty.
PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL HUNGER IS FULFILLED BY OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
Let’s pray ……..
Lord, make us spiritually strong in all situations.
Lord, make us to believe You in all circumstances, trust You all through our lives and give us steadfast faith to hold on to You firmly.
Lord, let’s always give thanks to the Lord and do the will of God.
Lord, make us to be compassionate, caring, thankful and responsible to one another and never to doubt Your name, for You are the Provider. Amen.
Glory be to God
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