Jesus feeds the 5000
Jesus feeds the 5,000
Matthew 14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard about it, He withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed Him on foot from the towns. 14 As He stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd, felt compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15 When evening came, the disciples approached Him and said, “This place is a wilderness, and it is already late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 “They don’t need to go away,” Jesus told them. “You give them something to eat.” 17 “But we only have five loaves and two fish here,” they said to Him. 18 “Bring them here to Me,” He said. 19 Then He commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples ⌊gave them⌋ to the crowds. 20 Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up 12 baskets full of leftover pieces! 21 Now those who ate were about 5,000 men, besides women and children.
Jesus Meets A Twofold Need.
· Jesus heals the hurting (14:13–14): The sick in the crowd are restored.
o 14 He saw a huge crowd, felt compassion for them, and healed their sick.
o Jesus cares for those who are sick and hurting.
§ The word has the connotation of serving.
§ But, in the NT it refers to healing the sick!
§ Jesus heals the lame, the maimed, the blind, and the dumb.
o Jesus was the only miracle worker in Israel during his ministry.
§ Non-Biblical writings reveal that there no others who even claimed to be able to perform miracles.
§ There is no sickness or weakness which Jesus cannot master.
§ Jesus was unique then, and he is unique now.
· Jesus feeds the hungry (14:15–21)
o There is a scarcity of food (14:15–17):
o Counting the women and the children there were probably 15,000 to 20,000 people in the crowd.
§ The disciples wanted to send the people away so they could find something to eat.
§ Even if food had been available do you have any idea how much money it would take to feed 15,000 to 20,000 people?
· Assume $4 per meal and 15,000 people.
· It would cost $60,000 in today’s money to feed 15,000 people one meal.
o Jesus tells the disciples to feed the people.
§ A quick check reveals only five small loaves of bread and two fish are available for the hungry crowd.
§ Andrew found a small boy with some food that he was willing share with others.
o There is a surplus of food (14:18–21): After all have eaten their fill, twelve basketfuls are left over!
§ Jesus performs a mighty miracle!
· It cannot be explained.
· It is the power of almighty God.
§ It is no problem for the God who created the heaven’s and the earth to feed a crowd of 15,000 to 20,000 people.
§ Our God is a mighty God!
· Conclusion
o The practical lesson is clear: whenever there is a need, give all that you have to Jesus and let Him do the rest.
o Begin with what you have, but be sure you give it all to Him.
§ That little lad is to be commended for sharing his lunch with Christ,
§ and his mother is to be commended for giving him something to give to Jesus.