JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND (Luke 9:10 – 17)

JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND - LUKE 9:10 – 17

• This was a nature miracle
• After the return of the 12 disciples from their mission, Jesus took them to a quiet place in the town of Bethsaida.
• A crowd of about 5,000 people followed him to whom he preached about the kingdom of God.
• The disciples requested Jesus to release the people to look for food.
• Jesus told the disciples to give the people something to eat.
• The disciples were in a dilemma because they did not have enough food to feed the people.
• Jesus told the disciples to organize the people into groups of fifty.
• He took five loaves, two fish, prayed for it, broke them and asked the disciples to distribute to the people.
• The crowd ate to its fill and left remains that filled 12 baskets.

Lessons learnt about Jesus from the feeding of the 5,000.

1. Jesus is the Messiah offering the messianic banquet prophesied by prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 25:6).
2. Jesus is the bread of life.
3. Jesus has divine power.
4. Jesus provides for both physical and spiritual needs of people.
5. Jesus has power over nature (multiplied loafs enough to feed 5,000 people)
6. Jesus had faith in God’s providence.
7. Jesus had compassion for the needy.
8. Jesus prayer (Luke 9:16) points to spiritual feeding of the church in the celebration of the Eucharist (Last supper Luke 14:22 – 25).

Lessons Christians learn from the feeding of 5,000

​LUKE 9:10 – 17

​Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”
13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”
They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.)
But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

1. Christians should be willing to share what they have with others e.g. food, clothing, shelter, education, medicine.
2. Christians should not run away from problems but should be ready to face challenges as they occur.
3. Christians should always pray to God before doing anything e.g. before eating.
4. Christians should preach the gospel to others.
5. Christians Should not be wasteful in the use of their food and other resources i.e. Jesus asked the left-over to be collected.
6. Christians should show mercy to those who are suffering e.g. by feeding them.
7. Church leaders should delegate duties as Jesus did, he asked his disciples to arrange the people and distribute food to them.
8. Christians should be very orderly people e.g. Jesus asked the people to sit down before they could be given food.
9. Christians should be obedient to their leaders; the disciples were always ready to take the instructions of Jesus without questioning.
10. Christians should not only preach the gospel but also cater for people’s social and economic needs e.g. run schools, hospitals and colleges.

How the feeding of the 5,000 people prepared the disciples for their future work

It made them know:

• That with God nothing is impossible
• Success in mission work entails providing people with both spiritual and physical   needs.
• That as a preacher one must also be an environmentalist i.e. keeps it clean.
• That showing compassion is an essential element of Christian ministry.
• As a missionary one must not be lazy, he must keep on working as long as there is need.
• They learnt never to limit God as they work for him.

Virtues Christians learn from the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000

1. Service to others.
2. Obedience.
3. Faith/trust.
4. Humility.
5. Cooperation.
6. Thankfulness.
7. Carefulness.
8. Responsibility.
9. Kindness/ generosity/ sharing.
10. Concern.
11. Respect.

THE PERSON OF JESUS AND HIS DESTINY - Luke 9:18 – 27

• Jesus asked his disciples two questions about his person and destiny.
  • “Who do people say I am?”
    
  • “Who do you say I am?”
    

• The disciples’ response showed that people thought Jesus was either John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the great prophets of O.T.
• Jesus accepted Peter’s response that he was the Messiah of God.
• Jesus commanded the disciples not to reveal his Messianic identity because:
  • It could be misunderstood to refer to a conquering Messiah in line with the Jewish expectations.
    
  • The Messiah was to suffer, be rejected, killed and on the third day be raised.
    
  • The disciples had to wait until an opportune time when they would learn the true meaning of His Messiahship.
• Jesus assertion that he must suffer greatly meant that it was God’s plan of saving humankind through suffering.
• Through the resurrection of Jesus, victory over human suffering and death will be realized.
• The disciples of Jesus were to share in his suffering through self-denial and being ready to loose their lives for Jesus.
• Jesus promises a great reward to those who remain faithful to him.

The kind of Messiah the Jews expected

1. A political figure with immense authority.
2. A conquering Messiah that would liberate them from the Roman Rule.
3. To come from the house of David.
4. To come from a rich family background i.e. well known parents/royal family.
5. One who would establish the throne of David in Israel.
6. One who would lead them into a time of great national power and prosperity.
7. One who would be a perfect king.

The kind of Messiah that Jesus is to Christians

1. He is a saving Messiah.
   Saved mankind from sin.
2. He is a forgiving Messiah.
   He forgives the sins of man
3. He is a healing Messiah.
   He heals sickness and diseases.
4. He is a reigning Messiah.
   He established God’s kingdom on earth.
5. He is a triumphing Messiah.
   His death on the cross and resurrection was total over Satan.
6. He is a liberating Messiah.
   He liberates mankind from satanic bondage demoniac.
7. He is the anointed one.
   His anointing breaks every yoke.
8. He is the foundation.
   ​Christianity is based on His life and teachings.

Questions you will most likely meet in examinations

1. Explain four lessons learnt from feeding of 5000 men. (Luke 9:10-17)        ( 8 marks)
   1. Jesus was not only concerned with spiritual need but also with peoples physical needs.
   2. It is important for Christians today to give thanks to God before partaking a meal.
   3. People especially leaders should delegate work as Jesus did.
   4. Jesus is an orderly person. We should also be orderly since our God is orderly.
   5. We should not waste food that could be of use to others or to us.
   6. Christians should keep the environment clean         
2. Mention six occasions when Jesus prayed.         (6 marks)
   1. During his baptism.
   2. During his temptations in the wilderness.
   3. Before the choosing of the 12 disciples.
   4. In the  miracle of the feeding of the 5,000.
   5. After Peter confessed his true identify as the Christ.
   6. During transfiguration.
   7. After the return of the 72 disciples from their mission.
   8. When he taught his disciples the Lord ’s Prayer.
   9. During the last supper.
   10. Before his arrest at the Mount of Olives.
   11. When his resurrection in the house of the two disciples at Emmaus.
3. Relate the story of the feeding of the five thousand.
4. What lessons did the disciples of Jesus learn from the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand?
5. Give an account of the feeding of the 5000

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