The Shepherd's Feast

Jesus had just sent out his disciples on short term missions...

they taught, healed and cast out demons

now they were trying to get away to talk about it

they were supposed to be getting away to be with Jesus

talk about all of the great things that they had just done and seen.

interrupted… Everyone understands being interrupted. Parents… life in general.

says that people followed them because they saw the healings that Jesus had been doing.

This is one of the most famous miracles in the Bible. Except for the death and resurrection of Jesus, it is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels.

32 So they went away in the boat by themselves to a remote place, 33 but many saw them leaving and recognized them, and they ran on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. 34 When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things. 35 When it grew late, his disciples approached him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is already late. 36 Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat.” 37 “You give them something to eat,” he responded. They said to him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” 38 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he instructed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 Everyone ate and was satisfied. 43 They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were five thousand men.

34 When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.

35 When it grew late, his disciples approached him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is already late. 36 Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat.”

37 “You give them something to eat,” he responded.

They said to him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

38 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”

When they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 Then he instructed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke the loaves. He kept giving them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 Everyone ate and was satisfied. 43 They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were five thousand men.

“Jesus looked at the situation, not as a problem, but as an opportunity to trust the Father and glorify His name.” Warren Wiersbe

This is one of the most famous miracles in the Bible. Except for the death and resurrection of Jesus, it is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels.

The feeding of the 5000 was almost lost on the disciples at first…

“Come, then, weary and hungry sinner. You have nothing to do but to take Christ… Open your mouth and receive the food! Faith to receive what Christ provides is all that is needed.” C.H. Spurgeon

New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek Dictionaries: Updated Edition 4697 σπλαγχνίζομαι (splagchnizomai)

4697. σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai; from 4698; to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion:—feel compassion(2), felt compassion(7), moved with compassion(2), take pity(1).

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 6

51 Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, 52 because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, 52 because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.

Before we start throwing stones… We all know about this story also, but have multiple times missed the power of Jesus in our lives.

Jesus has compassion on the crowd, calls the apostles to feed them, and He performs the miracle.

If I took a pole and asked what it is your need we would get all kinds of answers…

We would have a discussion on what a need is verses a want

we may have different answers based on age, family size understanding

we are in a church, so it may be a spiritual answer… you know that answer you give to a pastor.

In this passage there was a large group of people that were in need.

When I hear crowd, that seems subjective. A crowd to an introvert, a shy person may be 20 people, 50, 100? This group is 5000… men. Some estimate with the women and children that this 10-20,000 total people.

this is not a crowd, this is Dodge City waiting on the shore.

When he went ashore, he saw a large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he began to teach them many things.

Compassion - 4697. σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai; (splank nee zo may) from 4698; to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion:—feel compassion(2), felt compassion(7), moved with compassion(2), take pity(1).

A time when he was supposed to get away with his apostles to talk, to teach and disciple them, has now changed.

, Jesus is teaching in Nazareth and the surrounding area. Not having a lot of success.

He sends his disciples out on a short mission, and as they are getting away to themselves, these people are running along the shore to meet them where they come ashore.

Why does Jesus have compassion? They were like sheep without a shepherd

sheep have to be led and protected

the Bible constantly refers to people as sheep

Jesus goes after the one lost sheep…

That Jesus would lay down his life for one… He is not happy that he has some sheep, he goes after the one.

If it were only you, Jesus would have died on that cross.

Jesus is the good shepherd who lays his life down for his sheep.

Pastors are called to shepherd their people… We are to help lead them towards Jesus.

Story about Pope coming to America...

That is my job, my calling, to point you toward Jesus and help you live a life he has called you to live.

The people of Israel were without the leadership that they needed. They did not have leaders who were looking out for their spiritual well being, but instead for their own glory and gratification.

they were selfish and prideful in all that they did.

I am not saying that modern pastors are not like this, or even that I am not like this from time to time. But at this time in Israel, there was nobody leading them to the father.

the people were hungry for it, they were chasing after them for miles.

God knows their heart, knows what it best for them and watches their entire life as they live as if he is not waiting their to save them from their sin, to give them a life they never thought was possible.

This is the compassion he has had from the beginning… why he sent his son in the first place.

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 3

16 For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

The previous story in tells about John the Baptists death. Shows the leadership or lack there of, that the Israelites had. The leaders were not concerned with the spiritual wellbeing of the people they were to lead.

Speak about the story of JTB and the leadership at this time.

Sheep are the dumbest of animals… They may look cute…

will not eat without led to food, will not drink without being led to water. They need the protection, or the wolves will get them.

People are trainable… Bottled water turns into carry your own water bottle

The Bible compares us to sheep… We do not feed on the word on our own, the Spirit leads us. We can be consumed by the enemy without the protection of God.

This is why we refer to people who do not know the Lord as lost… There are many who do not know they are lost. They do not know what they are looking for, only that there is something that they need.

“Come, then, weary and hungry sinner. You have nothing to do but to take Christ… Open your mouth and receive the food! Faith to receive what Christ provides is all that is needed.” C.H. Spurgeon

We are Lost without Jesus… We are walking without a purpose, without a reason to our lives, this is why there are some that believe there is nothing else to this life, or after this life. They see and have no real meaning.

This describes us… before the Lord.

I believe that the people around us today, are just as hungry.

I believe that there are people all around us in Jetmore, Hanston, Burdett and Rozel that are filled with people starving for the gospel.

they may not know what they are starving for, but they know they need something.

The Apostles come to Jesus with what seems like a reasonable and compassionate request, or demand…

When it grew late, his disciples approached him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is already late. 36 Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat.”

35 When it grew late, his disciples approached him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is already late. 36 Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages to buy themselves something to eat.”

Jesus meets returns to them with what seems like a very unreasonable request.

37 “You give them something to eat,” he responded. They said to him, “Should we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

says that Jesus was testing the Apostles...

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 6

6 He asked this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.

What kind of test… why does God test?

I believe that he was testing them in two ways

he was testing their faith… after all that they had seen and done already, do they believe that Jesus can accomplish anything?

They had a God sized problem, and human outlook on how to solve it.

isn’t this how we look at things as well? We cannot see a possible solution that we could do, no way out, and yet we do not think that God could possibly have something amazing that he is about to do.

The second test was of their heart… their compassion for the people.

Did they really care for the people or were they just looking for a way that they could finally get to what they were to do, talk about all the great things they had done on their trips.

Do we have hearts for others? Are we concerned with the hearts of those around us enough to be uncomfortable, enough to put plans aside for the kingdom?

That is what Jesus was doing… Jesus was teaching and one gospel says that he was teaching about the kingdom of God.

I have heard a lot of the arguments… well we have to see these people every week, we do not want to run them away, turn them off. Be in your face about it.

If you truly have a relationship with people, I believe that you could talk about Jesus with them. They know it is because you love them.

Honestly, I would rather make them upset know, instead of watching them die in their sin.

Our calling, the calling on every believer is to Love God and Love People. There is no better way to love people than to introduce them to Jesus. That is the greatest love of all.

“Come, then, weary and hungry sinner. You have nothing to do but to take Christ… Open your mouth and receive the food! Faith to receive what Christ provides is all that is needed.” C.H. Spurgeon

Understand, Jesus is our shepherd.

Pslam 23

Compassion - 4697. σπλαγχνίζομαι splagchnizomai; from 4698; to be moved in the inward parts, i.e. to feel compassion:—feel compassion(2), felt compassion(7), moved with compassion(2), take pity(1).

The previous story in tells about John the Baptists death. Shows the leadership or lack there of, that the Israelites had. The leaders were not concerned with the spiritual wellbeing of the people they were to lead.

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

Jesus is the “Chief Shepherd” of Who lays his life down for his sheep

Speak about the story of JTB and the leadership at this time.

That Jesus would lay down his life for one… He is not happy that he has some sheep, he goes after the one.

If it were only you, Jesus would have died on that cross.

Jesus is the “Great Shepherd” of .

Jesus is the “Shepherd Lamb” of who guides us to streams of living waters.

Jesus is the good shepherd who lays his life down for his sheep.

There is a similarity from this passage lived out, to the prayer of David in Psalm 23.

The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

People are trainable… Bottled water turns into carry your own water bottle

The Bible compares us to sheep… We do not feed on the word on our own, the Spirit leads us. We can be consumed by the enemy without the protection of God.

Jesus is that Great Shepherd…

He is consumed with your spiritual well being… Not because you are so great, but because you are so greatly loved.

He died so that you could have eternal life, He sent the Holy Spirit to live in you to guide you and constantly point your life to Jesus. He provides people and a place for you to belong, with other believers where you can share life with and grow in your faith.

At the same time, he takes care of our physical needs as well.

He was taking the disciples away to rest and recoup after their mission trip.

These people come up, interrupt that and what does he do, he teaches the kingdom, has them lie down in the green grass… and feeds them.

I missed the green grass part of this story for a long time. The ESV in one of the gospels said, “the people set because their was green grass.”

He gives them rest, he gives them food, and he restores their soul.

“Jesus looked at the situation, not as a problem, but as an opportunity to trust the Father and glorify His name.” Warren Wiersbe

“Come, then, weary and hungry sinner. You have nothing to do but to take Christ… Open your mouth and receive the food! Faith to receive what Christ provides is all that is needed.” C.H. Spurgeon

I believe that Jesus wants to restore your soul today… Do you know him.

Christian Standard Bible Psalm 23

1 The LORD is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

as long as I live.,ap

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

Do you know for sure that if you died tonight that you would be in Heaven? If not, I would love to talk to you about that.

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.,ap

1 The Lord is my shepherd;

“Come, then, weary and hungry sinner. You have nothing to do but to take Christ… Open your mouth and receive the food! Faith to receive what Christ provides is all that is needed.” C.H. Spurgeon

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

Have you been worried about your own life, your own time and business? Have you taken the time and love, to share Jesus with somebody close to you?

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.,ap

1 The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.,ap

1 The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.,ap

1 The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.,ap

1 The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.,ap

1 The Lord is my shepherd;

I have what I need.

2 He lets me lie down in green pastures;

he leads me beside quiet waters.

3 He renews my life;

he leads me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

4 Even when I go through the darkest valley,

I fear no danger,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff—they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord

as long as I live.,ap

The Shepherd's Feast

Introduction

Our Need

Our Need

Jesus Calls us to Feed His Sheep

Our Call

Our Shepherd

Jesus is Our Satisfaction

Jesus is Our Satisfaction

Jesus Calls us to Feed His Sheep

Conclusion