Feeding 5000 & 4000

The feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle recorded in all 4 Gospels.

John 6:5-13

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.

7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not 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?"

10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 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.


Notes on Setting- A whole bunch of hungry people
- It was late afternoon, early evening
- It was a remote place
- Disciples were focusing on the problem
- John's angle is different (Philip)

Notes on Problem- Not a lot of food
- Startling statement from Jesus
- Focus on extreme cost and lack of supply
- Disciples may be suggesting they had that much
- 1 boy brought something to the table

Notes on Miracle- Stomachs satisfied with lots of leftovers
- Orderly directions
- Jesus focus's on thanking God for what they DID have
- Jesus includes the disciples in the ministering (except in John)
- 1 basket of leftovers for each disciple

Past Connection

Moses
~ John 6:31-32
Elisha
~ 2 Kings 4:42-44

Present Connection

Messiah
~ Psalm 23
~ Ezekiel 34:23
~ Rabbinical teaching


Future Connection

Last Supper
~ John 6:53-56


Questions to Consider

1. Have we recognized Jesus as the true bread from heaven?

2. Are we focused on the problems or on the solutions in this life?

3. How large do we view our contribution to the Lord’s work?

4. Do we have enough faith to give the little that we have to offer for Jesus to multiply?

5. Are we willing to minister to people who may or may not respond as we hope?

6. Are we willing to trust that Jesus’ knows best when he leaves us with left-overs?