Jesus Feeds the 5,000 (from the Christ in Every Place Series)

The following are my Bible study notes bases on my pastor's sermon.

Jesus Feeds the 5,000 

After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). ² A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. ³ Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. ⁴ Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. ⁵ Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” ⁶ This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. ⁷ Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” ⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ⁹ “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. ¹² When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” ¹³ So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. ¹⁴ Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” - John 6:1-14

I always thought the 5,000 people who were there to listen to Jesus that day were there because they were familiar with His teachings and wanted to learn more about Him.  I always thought these people were "Jesus-followers" who wanted to gain wisdom from Jesus.  However, we learn in verse two of in the 6th chapter of John that they were there because of the things Jesus had done for them.  

By Grauesel - Photo taken by Grauesel, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=192570

A large crowd followed Him because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. - John 6:2

The 5,000 people who were there that day were not there to bring themselves under the lordship of Jesus Christ.  Later in this chapter, Jesus tells them that no one can come to Him unless it has been granted him by the Father.  When Jesus told them this, many stopped walking with Him.

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. ⁶⁴ But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who it was that would betray Him. ⁶⁵ And He was saying, “For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.” ⁶⁶ As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. - John 6:63-66

 Jesus knew which people believed Him and which ones did not, and yet He loved them.

³⁴ When Jesus went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. - Mark 6:34

Philip was being tested in this situation.  (verse 6)

Why are people tested?  People are tested  to see what is in their hearts.  

² You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. - Deuteronomy 8:2

God already knows what is in our hearts, but I know that when I am tested, I can see what is in my heart.  Sometimes I'm unpleasantly surprised.  Philip was looking at this situation with human eyes.  He wasn't trusting Jesus.

God stands with us.  He knows our situation.  He knows about our financial circumstances, our broken relationships, etc.  He knows it all.

¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. - 2 Timothy 4:17

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The little boy in this story had two small fish and five barley loaves.  Yet, with 2 small fish and 5 small loaves of bread, Jesus fed 5000 people.

What is small and insignificant in our lives is big and significant in God's hands.

If it concerns you, it concerns Him.

You have taken account of my wanderings;
Put my tears in Your bottle.
Are they not in Your book? - Psalm 56:8

 May we never lose dependency on Jesus to give us fresh bread.

Rarely is God early.  He is never late.

Philip tells Jesus in verse 7 of John 6 that even if they buy 200 denarii  of bread, the people would get a little bread but there still wouldn't be enough for everyone.  Money could not buy enough bread, but Jesus fed everyone and had food left over.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. - 2 Corinthians 9:8

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What do we need to personally experience from this miracle?

1.  The love and compassion of Christ is needed in every place.

2.  Our inadequacy is an opportunity  to experience God's adequacy.

⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

3.  What do you need to put in the hands of Jesus today?

You'll find all my posts in this series here.