A Composite Reading Of
The Feeding Of The Five Thousand
Based on
Matthew 14:13-21: Mark 6:32-44: Luke 9.10-17: John 6:1-14
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he went away, crossing to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee in a boat to a solitary place, to a town called Bethsaida. The crowds learned about it and followed him on foot from the towns, because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick, and got there ahead of them.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. He welcomed the crowd, and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing.
As evening approached, Jesus said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do, Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” The disciples said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat. How many loaves do you have?” he asked. “Go and see.” Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” “Bring them here to me,” Jesus said. Then he directed them to have all the people sit down on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 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, He did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” The disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish that were left over by those who had eaten. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, ‘Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND
I THE POOR MULTITUDE
The crowds . . . followed him on foot from the towns, because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick, and got there ahead of them.
a. THEY CONFESSED THEIR NEED OF HEALING
Hebrews 4:16Let us approach the throne of grace with fullest confidence, that we may receive mercy for our failures and grace to help in the hour of need. [Philips]
whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help. [CEV]
b. THEY CONFESSED THEIR NEED OF TEACHING
I Timothy 4:13 Concentrate on your reading and on your preaching and teaching. [Philips]
John 5:39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me. [NIV]
II THE PITYING SAVIOUR
He welcomed the crowd, and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing.
a. HE SAW THEM AS SHEPHERD-LESS SHEEP
John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me
b. HE SAW THEM AS HUNGRY PEOPLE
John 6:35 I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. Those who believe in me will never thirst.
III THE PUZZLED DISCIPLES
Philip answered him, ‘Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” The disciples said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging.”
a. THE PEOPLE HAD A NEED - NO FOOD!
Matthew 10:8 Give as freely as you have received! [NLT]
b. THE PLACE WAS A DESERT - NO SHOPS!
Isaiah 55:2 Why do you give your money for what is not bread, and the fruit of your work for what will not give you pleasure? Give ear to me, so that your food may be good, and you may have the best in full measure. [BBE]
IV THE REMARKABLE CONTRAST
a. The Disciples - Send Them Away!
Luke 18:15 Some people brought their little children for Jesus to bless. But when his disciples saw them doing this, they told the people to stop bothering him.
b. The Saviour - Give Them To Eat!
Luke 18:16 So Jesus called the children over to him and said, “Let the children come to me! Don’t try to stop them. People who are like these children belong to God’s kingdom. 17 You will never get into God’s kingdom unless you enter it like a child!”
V THE PROVIDING MASTER
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” “Bring them here to me,” Jesus said. Then he directed them to have all the people sit down on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 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, He did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted.
a. HE PROVIDED REST - SIT DOWN!
Exodus 33:14 And He said, I myself will go with you and give you rest.
b. HE PROVIDED REFRESHMENT - BREAD & FISH!
Possible Because A Lad Gave His All
Matthew 19:29 anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life. [Message[
Possible Because The Bread Was Broken
John 6:48 I am the bread of life. [NIV]
I Corinthians 11:24 this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. [AV]
“This is my body, which is given for you. Eat this and remember me.” [CEV]
Are we willing to be broken for the Lord?
VI THE PLENTIFUL SUPPLY
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” The disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish that were left over by those who had eaten. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
a. PROVISION FOR ALL - 5,000 PLUS!
Psalm 107:9 He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. [NKJV]
b. ENOUGH AND TO SPARE
II Corinthians 9:7 & 8 You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. 8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. [NLT]
each give as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly. 8 And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause. [GNB]
Luke 6:38 If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you." [NLT]
Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." [Message]
