THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND
JOHN 6:1-15
Introduction:
The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 is the only sign recorded in all four of the Gospels with the exception of the Resurrection. This in itself makes it significant. The Lord is involved in training the Apostles for the work that they would lead in the future in the churches that would be organized after the Lord’s return to the Father.
I. EVENTS OF THE TIME
A. Herod had killed John the Baptist,
Matthew 14:10, “And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.”
B. The disciples had preached throughout Galilee, Mark 6:7-13, 30-31.
1. The Lord had sent them out by twos, v. 7, “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;”
2. Two are better than one, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.”
3. Jesus gave them power, Mark 16:17, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
C. Curiosity about Jesus.
1. Herod thought that John was raised from the dead, Mark 6:14, 16, “And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 16But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.”
2. Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the prophets, Mark 6:15, “Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets.”
a. It is interesting that many thought that Jesus was one of the prophets, Matthew 21:11, “And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.”
b. Few recognized Him as the Messiah, Matthew 16:13-14, “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”
II. THE PLACE
A. The Northeast side of the Sea of Galilee, called elsewhere the lake of Gennesareth, here the sea of Tiberias, John 6:1, “After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.”
B. A great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles, v. 2.
1. Our Lord Jesus, while he went about doing good, lived continually in a crowd, which gave him more trouble than honour.
2. Christ’s miracles drew many after him that were not drawn to him for salvation, John 6:26, “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.”
III. THE MIRACLE
A. Where shall we buy bread for these to eat? v. 5, “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”
1. The Lord concern and compassion is seen here expecting them all to eat with Him, John 21:12, “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.”
2. Also this was a small test for Philip because the Lord knew what He would do, v. 6, “And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.”
B. Andrew speaks up with some doubt, vs. 8-9, “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, 9There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?”
1. Had they forgotten to whom they were speaking? He is Lord of all, Acts 10:36, “The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”
2. The Lord bless the loaves and fishes, v. 11, “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.”
C. Gather up what remains, vs. 12-13, “When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. 13Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.”
1. They filled twelve hand baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, v. 13, “Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.”
2. Here the Lord teaches His disciples that He is more than sufficient for their needs, 2 Corinthians 3:5, “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;”
D. The Lord is glorified and recognized, v. 14, “Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.” Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;”
CONCLUSION:
We as Christians forget so easily what the Lord can do in our lives. Even the Apostles had to be reminded of this event later in Mark 8:17-21 what had happened here.