Mark 6:30-44
Matthew 14:13-21, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:5-13
Jesus feeds 5000 people
with 5 loaves and 2 fish
Overview
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Background and context
The people follow Jesus
The people listen to Jesus
Jesus feeds the people
So what?
Questions and comments?
Background and
introductory comments
• Don’t want to look at
– the reliability of the account
– Jesus compassion (in a general sense)
• Details from other gospels
– Matthew 14:21 – 5000 men besides women
& children
– John 6:8 – food brought by a small boy
– John 6:14-15 – The people:
• recognised Jesus as a “great prophet”
• started to talk about making him king
Context
• Jesus had sent out the 12 to preach and
heal the sick
• John the Baptist has just been beheaded
• The 12 return and report to Jesus all that
they have done and taught
• The people were crowding round Jesus
• Jesus leads his disciples away
to a “quiet place”
So what?
• Are we willing to make sacrifices when
serving King Jesus?
• Service is for everyone – not just the
experienced and knowledgeable
• We must recognise that service is tiring
• We must look after ourselves to be of
ongoing use to the Lord
The people follow Jesus
• People from villages all around ran to
where they were going
• Jesus doesn’t see them as a problem or
inconvenience
• Jesus saw them as lost sheep without a
shepherd
• Jesus had compassion and taught them
many things
So what?
• Are we praying that the Lord would cause
spiritually hungry people to seek him?
• How do we feel when people need our
attention?
• Do we see sharing the gospel and
teaching as acts of compassion?
• Are we praying that God will raise up
leaders and teachers amongst us?
The people lost track of the time
• They were enthralled by Jesus teaching
– Wanted to hear Him
– Unconcerned about their physical needs
• The disciples draw Jesus’ attention to the
problem
• Jesus puts the problem back to them!
• They missed the point!
So what?
• When was the last time we lost track of
time in prayer / study / worship?
• Are we learning leadership and taking
responsibility?
• Are we consistent in faith and service?
Jesus feeds the people
• Have all the people sit down
• Jesus gave thanks to God as was the
tradition
• Don’t know precisely how this happened
• Everyone was satisfied
• Gathered up the left-overs
– Gathered up more than they started with
– Didn’t want to waste what God had
provided
So what?
• Jesus can take the smallest resources
and do great things with them
• Do we believe the gospel is able to satisfy
every need?
• Do we want to make the best use of every
blessing that God gives us?
Today’s take-away
• Are we ready to make sacrificial use of
whatever gifts God has given us?
• Are we praying that He will place this
hunger in unbelievers and that He will
cause them to find the answer in Him?
• Are we looking after ourselves and each
other?
• Are we so passionate about the Lord that
we lose track of time with Him?