Feeding of the 4,000

29Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. 31The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

32Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

33His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

34“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

35He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. 39After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.  (Matthew 15:29-39)

Thoughts: Jesus once more shows that he cares about the needs of many.  Jesus fed 5,000 and now he feeds 4,000.  He did this not to wow people but to show compassion.  They were trying to follow Him and He wanted to care for their needs.  It was a seemingly impossible situation.  Food is remote.  The food available is not nearly enough.  Just as God provided Manna from heaven, Jesus provides for His people who chose to follow Him.  When they put the inadequate amount in the hands of Jesus it became more than adequate.  There were even leftovers!
      When we take what we have, however inadequate, and put it in Jesus hands- trusting Him- it becomes adequate to do the job.  

Prayer: Lord. help me to trust in you and to give back to you my gifts.  

Feeding Five Thousand

15As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18“Bring them here to me,” he said. 19And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 14:15-21)

Thoughts: The disciples were aware of the problem of logistics, and cost.  Jesus had tried to go away from everyone- and away he went. There were no markets or stores where he was, and 5,000+ had followed him.  Jesus wanted to remind the disciples of God's ability to provide- and provide through them.  So he said, "You give them something to eat."
     The tine resources, placed in the hands of Jesus fed the multitude.  In fact, they had much left over.  We too should place our resources in the hands of God and He will help us.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to give over what I have to you, knowing that you are able to multiply what I give.  

Listening and Sharing

7Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages^a to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

14After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.  (John 6) 

Thoughts: If we do what Jesus asks us, and we put our little resources in His hands, amazing things happen!  Barley loaves were the cheapest grained bread.  The small fish were probably like anchovies.  They couldn't feed 5,000.  But the boy's willingness to share his lunch- even give up his lunch is blessed.  The disciples also listened and did exactly as Jesus said.  In the end there was more than enough- even some left over- 12 baskets.  This was not just, as some infer, that Jesus go the boy to share his lunch and that inspired others.  They were amazed at this work and called him a prophet and wanted to make him king (14,15).  Jesus does amazing things- and we see His glory- when we are willing to share and put our small resources in His big hands. 

Prayer: Lord, give me grace to give what you have given me back to you.  Take what I have and multiply it to meet the needs of others and to glorify yourself. 

Going Out of Our Way To LIsten

1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), 2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. 3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. (John 6:1-6)

Thoughts; The people wanted to hear the good news about Jesus, and they would go anywhere to do it.  They would cross around the Sea of Galilee, travelling for a full day- away from stores and food and conveniences.  They didn't carefully plan- they just responded in trust. Jesus rewarded their trust by feeding them- even 5,000+ of them.
       In our day, people will follow Christ, but only if it is convenient.  Only if it doesn't interfere with our fun or the fun of our kids. Some will come but only if the heat or air conditioning is right.  Some will come to follow Jesus but only if they can be comfortable.  Today many would tell us to walk by sight but to have faith.  If you want faith, you need to walk by faith- and let God supply your needs. Put your life and your time into Jesus' hands and see if He will not bless it. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you are trustworthy and your care for your people.  Help me to give myself fully in trust to you.   

2/11/14- John 6:1-15 Feeding 5,000

1Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias),2and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick.3Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4The Jewish Passover Festival was near.

5When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages^a to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

8Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

10Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

12When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

14After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” 15Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:1-15)

Thoughts: The Feeding of the Five Thousand is found in all four gospels, and is the only miracle (with the exception of the resurrection) found in all four.  It is considered a miracle.  John confirms this by contrasting the large need (half a year's wages to fee) with the small amount given to Christ- barley loaves were the least expensive grain, and the fish were small (like anchovies).  John also confirms the miracle by the reaction of the people who experienced the miracle.  They exclaimed that he was the prophet and they wanted to make him king.  It was not (as some say) that Jesus simply enabled them to share their lunches.  Jesus made an impression.  In 6:23 mentions that the bread was multiplied after the Lord "gave thanks."  It is in thankfulness that the provision of God is manifested.  It is in offering our small provisions to Jesus that they are multiplied and bear fruit..  

Prayer: Lord, take my small gifts and use them for your glory.  I give you thanks for your provision.