Feeding The Five Thousand

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Jesus said to them, I am the Bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John six thirty three. Dear Lord Jesus, in you we find the fulfillment of every need, want, and desire. For you are the true bread from Heaven that sustains our souls, brings us life, and offers us eternal satisfaction. Lord, in a world that relentlessly tempts us with fleeting pleasures and shallow promises of fulfillment, help us to steadfastly look to Jesus for everything. Teach us to find our contentment, joy, and purpose and you alone, denying the vapid offers of the world that only lead to emptiness. May we daily feast on the bread of life, finding in You are richness and depth that the world cannot give. Empower us God to live lives that reflect our reliance on You for everything. May our words and actions testify to your sufficiency, leading others to seek You as the source of true satisfaction in life. In all things, let our hearts be anchored in the truth that in You we have everything we need. In your precious name, we pray. Amen, Thank you for praying with me today. This is the Jesus Podcast, Gospel stories brought to life in new ways. Are you in need of satisfaction and purpose today? Remain here to listen to a story on power, provision and providence. Everything was quiet, no clamoring from people in need or skaff from Pharisees. Peace. These were cherished moments for Jesus. There are times when someone needs to be alone to escape the chaos and cruelty of the world. It was true for the Son of God as much as anybody. Jesus sat and eboked and floated on the calm waters of the sea alone beneath him. Rippled in the water's surface, clouds moved along the water's reflection. He dipped his hand in and raised it out, letting the water slowly trickle out of his hand back into the sea. Jesus had just received news that his cousin John had been murdered, cruelly murdered. King Herod had taken his head for nothing more than speaking the truth. Truth was John's passion. He had come heralding the truth. That is why Jesus had come as well to testify to the truth. He knew he would see John again one day, but not until his work was finished. His mission. Jesus watched the steady sunset. The sun dipped orange near the horizon and cast a warm golden glow along the waters. Against the cruelty of the world, there can only be compassion, and his path would take him a bitter turn as well. But John had gone on first. Jesus slowly paddled back to shore. As he drew closer, he saw a large crowd forming on the sand. They had followed him along the coast. They were desperate for him. Jesus floated onto the shoreline, where crowds waited for him with their sick men and women in bandages, children with aches and injuries, and Jesus felt his heart twist in his chest. Their pain was not an inconvenience to him. He was moved with compassion. Jesus got out of the boat and drew a deep breath. It would be a long night. He steadied his feet, whispered a prayer to his father. 00:04:30 Speaker 2: And clapped, all right, let's begin. 00:04:34 Speaker 1: The crowd thrust forward. His disciples surrounded him. They had also followed him along the shore. They knew Jesus would need. 00:04:43 Speaker 2: Help, one at a time. One at a time, I will speak with each and every one of you. 00:04:49 Speaker 1: Jesus saw them all, he knew them all, He loved them all. 00:04:58 Speaker 3: Have you ever felt lost in the crowd, like you're just a number moving along with the flow of life. During Jesus's ministry, he encountered multitudes of people nearly everywhere he went. But despite the driving numbers, he never let anyone get lost in the crowd. He knew each person who came to hear him teach. He saw every person who approached him for healing, and cared about every single heart that sought him out. From our greatest of needs to our smallest Jesus knows them all and will meet them with a compassionate heart. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a year's stories showcasing the depth of Christ's love through storytelling and the glory of God's truth through honest reflection. I'm Zach, your host from pray dot com. Thanks for joining us today. I'm excited to explore more miraculous moments with you as we jump in. Be sure to take a second to follow the podcast. Among Jesus's miracles, there were several that stand out as iconic. One of these is Jesus feeding the five thousand. As most of his miracles were directed at one individual, this miracle minister to thousands of people at once. As Jesus begins healing the crowds, the day is getting late and the disciples consider sending the people away to gather food in the villages, but Jesus has another plan. Despite the mass numbers which likely amount closer to fifteen thousand after counting the women and children, the Lord had a plan to effectively minister to them all. As we dive into our story, we'll have a glimpse into a vulnerable moment from Jesus. He hears about John the Baptist's death, but Jesus knows his comfort comes from his father in heaven and that his plan will redeem the brokenness of the world without allowing grief to consume his purpose. He moves with incredible spirit powered love to stay focused on the mission at hand. Let's dive in. 00:06:46 Speaker 1: The sun hung low and blood red on the horizon, Purple light shone on the waters of the sea. The light about them was blue, but the heat in the air draped over them like a blanket. There was no wind. It was beautiful, like a place set out of time, a place of beauty and healing and rest. The disciples ushered people to Jesus one by one. Hundreds quickly turned to thousands. Jesus attended to each one of them intentionally and with great tenderness and love. Although exhausted, jesus hands were steady, his gaze maintained its warmth. Jesus was fueled by something greater than flesh and bone. The spirit was alive in him, propelling him forward when he felt weary. The disciples, however, were growing irritable. 00:07:47 Speaker 4: Whose sums nearly set. And we've barely seen half of these people. 00:07:52 Speaker 1: Peter murmured to Andrew. 00:07:54 Speaker 4: And everyone who's been healed has remained to hear Jesus greech. There's only so much time in a day. 00:08:02 Speaker 1: Peter approached Jesus, whispering, this is. 00:08:05 Speaker 4: A desolate place, and the day is over now. Sindy crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves. 00:08:13 Speaker 1: Jesus, sensing Peter's hunger, turned to him. 00:08:16 Speaker 2: We've only just begun, Peter. They don't need to leave yet. Go and give them something to eat. 00:08:23 Speaker 4: Me sure, let me whip something right up. 00:08:27 Speaker 1: Jesus gestured to Philip. 00:08:29 Speaker 2: Where can we buy bread for these people to eat? 00:08:31 Speaker 1: Jesus knew his question was absurd, but he was leading the disciples through a process. He wanted them to grapple with the enormity of this task. 00:08:41 Speaker 5: Philip shrugged, Well, Master, it isn't a matter of where to get enough bread. We don't have enough money to provide for. 00:08:50 Speaker 4: All these people. 00:08:52 Speaker 5: It would take you half a month's wages just to give them a single bite of bread each. Let alone fill them. 00:08:59 Speaker 2: Go and see what you can find. Who knows, perhaps the Lord will be gracious to us. 00:09:05 Speaker 1: The men scattered throughout the sea of people, asking for food to share. After scouring the crowd, they returned with a boy no older than twelve. He had a small pack strapped to his shoulder. Andrew brought him forward. 00:09:20 Speaker 6: Jesus, this boy is the only one who brought food for himself. He's a smart kid to bring food, smarter than us at least. But it can't be enough to feed all these people. 00:09:32 Speaker 1: Jesus knelt and met the boy at eye level. Young man, how much do you have? The boy was kind but concerned. He opened his sack to reveal a few loaves of bread and two fish. 00:09:44 Speaker 6: Sir, I have five loaves of bread and two fish. It isn't much at all, but what I have is yours. 00:09:51 Speaker 1: Jesus's face curled up in a playful smile. 00:09:54 Speaker 2: Perfect, that's more than enough. 00:09:57 Speaker 1: The boy handed in the bag of bread and smoked fish. Jesus gestured for his disciples to sit. 00:10:03 Speaker 2: Sit. Everyone, rest. You're hungry and tired, I know, but I tell you there is more that fills a man than bread and water. 00:10:13 Speaker 1: Jesus stood up and raised his voice to the bustling crowd. Be still. The water amplified his shouts, causing a hush across the multitude. Everyone went still, like a choppy sea that suddenly turned a glass. The people sat quietly on the sandy grassy hill, waiting. The little sunlight that was left shone bronze on his skin, making his eyes gold and the sky purple and blue. The stars hung low in the sky. Jesus raised his chin to the heavens and. 00:10:49 Speaker 2: Said, blessed are you, Lord, our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth. I thank you, Father, for blessing us, what life of giving us abundantly more than what we could ask or even wish for. 00:11:06 Speaker 1: Jesus tore the fresh bread slowly and handed it out among them. They took it and tore, and passed it along, and tore again, and passed it along. But the bread didn't run out. The yeast filled smell of sour dough caught in the wind, the scent of steamy, fresh baked bread. The crowd kept passing along the bread, but the men watched confused. They walked through the crowds, trying to find where the bread ran out, but everyone had more than enough. It never ends. Philip's face fell, but there were only five loaves. The bread multiplied between them, all passing over hundreds and thousands of people. Three thousand people with bread, four thousand people with bread, no much more than five thousand men plus women and children eating their fill, and not just a little plenty, as Jesus blessing had said. The content hum of full bellies and hearty conversation filled the air, intermixed with the scent of fresh bread and salted fish. The disciples sat and ate as well, but they couldn't tear their eyes from the crowds. They could hardly believe the sight of it. Thousands of people eating from their meager five loaves. Peter tore the bread in his hands and passed it to a young girl beside him. Then she took it. The bread was full and fluffy in her palms. She smiled, thanked him, and ran to her brother and mother. Thousands of them ate from just five loaves, and the number of people on the hills extended for than the men could see. With Jesus walking among them, speaking to them, healing them with a touch or with a word. Peter watched as everyone feasted, and when the baskets were passed back toward them, they were full of bread still, and much more bread than they had had when they had left. They had leftovers. Peter smiled at Philip. 00:13:28 Speaker 4: How could he make something from nothing? 00:13:31 Speaker 1: They both watched Jesus walking among the seated, feasting families. 00:13:35 Speaker 4: He actually is who he says he is. 00:13:38 Speaker 1: Peter bit into the savory flesh of a smoked fish, and another bite in a warm, heast filled bread. 00:13:46 Speaker 7: Look at all these leftovers. These will feed us for days. We won't even have to fish tomorrow. If we don't want to. If we didn't have him, we couldn't eat this way if we tried. 00:13:58 Speaker 1: The disciples all look at each other in awe. They watched Jesus laughing with some children. He tagged one of them and ran up a small hill. Then he turned to them, pretending to be a monster, chasing them as they laughed and shrieked excitedly. Somehow Jesus could heal people of leprosy, feed thousands of people, and play a game of pretend, all within a few minutes. He was the ultimate provider, the very one who once sent manna down from heaven years ago to the people of Israel. He was the bread of life, more satisfying than any earthly meal. However, the moment of bliss turned in an instant. The people, seeing that Jesus had just made food appear from air, stood and cheered. Their cheering was delightful at first, but quickly turned to try both chanting. They had seen Jesus heal the lane and give sight to the blind. 00:15:06 Speaker 2: A prophet has come from heaven. 00:15:08 Speaker 5: He shall be made king. 00:15:10 Speaker 1: Nobody will ever hung it again. 00:15:13 Speaker 2: Gone with seize him. 00:15:15 Speaker 5: Let Jesus rise and give us bread. 00:15:18 Speaker 1: The crowd chanted, growing more unruly by the second. They stormed up the hill to grab hold of Jesus to make him king. Jesus knew that if he stayed one minute longer, the crowd would overtake him by force. Jesus grabbed his disciples to the water. Quickly they descended the hill to the sand, Andrew untied the boat while James and John hoisted the others aboard. 00:15:44 Speaker 2: Get to the other side. I'm going to be alone with my father. 00:15:47 Speaker 4: What Jesus nod? 00:15:50 Speaker 1: Come with us. 00:15:51 Speaker 4: That crowd will bind you in march you straight to room. Look at them. 00:15:55 Speaker 2: Don't worry about me. You go. I must stay to pray. 00:16:00 Speaker 1: There are many things. 00:16:01 Speaker 2: I must discuss with my father. 00:16:04 Speaker 1: I will see you soon. 00:16:05 Speaker 4: Master. I can't have you alone like this. 00:16:07 Speaker 2: The crowd will peter. You are afraid of so many things? Have I not told you? Be at peace? 00:16:16 Speaker 1: Hearing his birth name, Peter relented. 00:16:19 Speaker 4: How will we find you again? 00:16:21 Speaker 1: I will find you. With those words, Jesus pushed the boat out. The disciples began paddling away, watching Jesus march up the shore, narrowly escaping the mob of people. 00:16:38 Speaker 3: Shortly before the miracle of the Feeding of the five thousand, Jesus is found in a contemplative and somber scene, mourning the loss of his dear cousin, John, who had boldly made straight the path of the Messiah by proclaiming the coming kingdom and heralding Jesus as the Lamb of God. Though Jesus knew he would see John again and that John had a purpose in his heart to live out the calling into his dying breath, we were given a sobering reminder that Jesus was completely human and felt the same emotions we feel when losing a loved one. But this wasn't going to derail him from what he knew he needed to do to continue to press according to the Father's will. Though the world would give Jesus reasons to abandon his mission, nothing would be strong enough to change the Lord's heart of compassion. Nothing would cause him to cease from looking at the people of the world as sheep without a shepherd. He had come to seek and save the lost. Though many would come to revile and persecute him, his eyes were set on the ones who needed him most, the ones who would receive him as their savior. It's moving to know that there is nothing that could ever change Jesus's heart of compassion for his creation. Even in our most severe acts of rebellion, God's grace is sufficient to cover our sins. He has not and will not turn from those who have been made in his image. So Jesus begins to heal the crowds who have come to him. But as the day goes on, it's clear that the numbers are too good rate and that something would need to be done to feed the people before the sun goes down. As the disciples ask Jesus what to do, he turns it into a learning moment for them. Though they spent hours each day walking and talking with Jesus, hearing him preach about the Kingdom of God, and performing miracles like no other, they still had a lot to learn about him. Jesus wasn't upset at their questions or confusion. Rather, he saw it as an affirmation of their desire to grow. They didn't want to think or act like other men anymore. They wanted to be like Jesus, and as they face these problems, they were learning how to respond to issues as Jesus would. In the same way. We always have more to learn about God. The moment your faith fizzles out and dies is the moment you stop learning more about God. There is never going to be a moment where you fully grasp his character, his plans, and his word. Learning leads to greater faith, and greater faith leads to more effective ministry. We should never hit a point as followers of Jesus where we feel like we've retained all the knowledge that we can about God. Or God is magnificent and will be peeling back to layers of who He is for all of eternity. So press into the learning process as disciples. Never think for a moment you know exactly what He's up to. Rather, with humility, ask questions, be curious, and be in awe when he surprises you. Don't cross your arms and pretend like you knew what He was doing all along. Allow yourself to be suspended in mystery, and then press in to inquire more about what God is doing. Take the time to bring your questions to him. People who ask questions are not further behind in their faith. In fact, you're much further ahead. You may have a wealth of theological knowledge, but the second you stop asking questions as foolish as those questions might seem. In the moment, man, you are going to stop progressing in your faith. Learning from Jesus requires time and patience and questions, and this event teaches us to be open to them the new possibilities. God is going to surprise us time and time again. No matter how well you think you know him, He is capable of surprising you. And just as importantly, we should be humble, never assuming we know the answer apart from God. Rather than giving the disciples the answer at first, he wants to show them the pattern of thinking that we should have when trusting in God. He sends them out to gather the food that they can. In an unfortunate conclusion to the disciples, all they can find is a young boy with five barley loaves of bread and two smoked fish. It's at this point that the disciples are going to learn another lesson, not just from Jesus, but from this boy, who willingly gives up his lunch, knowing that it wouldn't be enough to feed the crowds, let alone the disciples and their rabbi. But this boy shows us incredible faith, the faith of offering up what little we have knowing that little things in the hands of a big God can accomplish greatness. We may not feel like we have much to offer God, but in quoting Hoseiah, Jesus reminds us that God God desires mercy over sacrifice. His point is that God is more focused on the place in our hearts from which we give more than he's concerned with what we give. Some have been given much and will be able to give much. Others have been given little and will be able to give little. But to each one the heart of the offering can be the same. Both are pleasing to God. Whether it was a rich merchant giving thousands of loaves and thousands of fishes, or one child giving a few loaves and a few fishes, the heart can be the same for God. The generous heart, the willing heart, the faithful heart. This is the lesson Jesus teaches the disciples. Whatever we have to give, we should give it with gladness. When we recognize that all good things come from God, it makes it easier to see it as simply giving back to Him what's rightfully his. And if we're willing to do this for him, we can trust that he'll take care of us as his children. Similar to the miracle performed in Cana when He turned water into wine, Jesus allows his disciples to have a hand in this miracle. Rather than having bread and fish, more areas acculously fill the bags or fall from the sky, Jesus sends out the disciples to pass out food. In doing so, he allowed them to be a part of the miracle, to witness the work of God unfold in real time. If we take a step back, we see that everyone had a part to play. 00:22:14 Speaker 1: In this miracle. 00:22:15 Speaker 3: The young boy was used to show how God calls us to generosity. The disciples were used to demonstrate the faith we must take when God sends us out to care for others, and of course Jesus stands as a reminder that none of it would have been possible apart from the power of God. Remember that God has a purpose for you. There's a part he wants you to play in his plan. Give him your heart, trust his guidance, and watch as he feeds this world with the bread of life.