96. Jesus Feeds 5,000

Christ Feeding the Multitude, artist and date unknown, 

[Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

BACKGROUND AND LINKS

96. Jesus feeds 5,000: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-13

This is the only miracle recorded in all four accounts of the gospel. The book of John records this event as the fourth sign (sēmeion, attesting miracle) that points to Jesus as the Messiah. It was more than 5,000 people. The people fed were really closer to 15,000-20,000 when the women and children were counted. The amount that would have been needed to feed all those people would have been eight months of wages! How exciting for that little boy to see Jesus multiply his food!

After this sign, the people recognized Jesus as the Prophet promised by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:15. Moses had led them out of Egyptian bondage and fed them manna from heaven. Jesus had fed them bread and would lead them out of Roman bondage. Consequently, the people wanted to seize Jesus and make Him King. Jesus has reached the pinnacle of His popularity with the multitudes. Jesus was the rightful King (Psalm 2:7-12; Daniel 7:13-14), but He could not become the Lion (Revelation 5:5) without first becoming the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). That is why he needed to explain the deeper meaning behind meeting their physical hunger by explaining that He was the Bread of Life in John 6:22-40. 

REFLECTION

When God is about to do something good, He starts with a difficulty. When He is about to do something great, He starts with an impossibility. And that means, regardless of your circumstances, you are a candidate for a miracle today. 

The disciples were faced with an impossibility. On a moment's notice they were asked to feed 5,000 hungry men plus their families with only the equivalent of five tuna fish sandwiches! To test His men, Jesus asked the obvious question: "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" (John 6:5). And the disciples gave the obvious answer: "Nowhere!" But once they admitted that from a human point of view the situation was hopeless, Jesus stepped in to prove His adequacy once again.  (The Daily Walk, October 28, 2008)

APPLICATION

Are you facing a hopeless situation in your home, your marriage, your job? The first step toward appropriating God's strength is to admit your own inadequacy. Have a fish sandwich for lunch today, and as you munch, tell God about your "five small barley loaves and two small fish" (John 6:9). That's more than enough for Him to produce a banquet of blessing if you'll only give it to Him. As the little boy and the disciples learned, little is much when God is in it!

Others see only a hopeless end, 

but the believer rejoices in an endless hope. 

The Daily Walk, October 28, 2008

Don't you love that application?  Off to eat a tuna fish sandwich!

PRAYER

You are the Promised One. You proved Your power through the signs and miracles You performed. You deserve our worship and praise and a tuna fish sandwich in Your honor today! Amen.