What Happened Before Jesus Fed The Five Thousand?
When we study an event such as Jesus feeding the five thousand, if we read the verses before this particular incident we will clearly understand how the circumstances that led up to Jesus feeding the five thousand influenced certain things that were said and done in this event we are studying. In addition, especially concerning this event, if we do not read all that is said in the four gospels, we can miss out some important details, (Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:33-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:1-14), note the following example.
Mathew and Mark mention that Jesus had compassion for the crowds that followed Him, but Luke and John do not. Mathew (Matthew 14:14), Luke (Luke 9:11) and John (John 6:2) tell us that Jesus healed the sick of the crowd that followed Him, but Mark tells us only that Jesus “began teaching them many things” (Mark 6:34).
These and other important details from all four gospels help us to understand why the multitude of five thousand were following Jesus and why they needed to be fed.
From the four accounts given of Jesus feeding the five thousand in all four gospels, John gives more details concerning Jesus’ interaction with His disciples of which the other three gospels do not.
There will be times in our lives when we make plans but unexpected things happen that interfere or even cancel out our plans. When this happens, for some of us, we become irritated and complain to the point everyone around us notices, including the dog. Others are overwhelmed with disappointment thinking that they will never have the opportunity to do what they had planned again and have a “pity party” to the point of seeking pity from other people. When unexpected things happen that impede “my plans” we can become so self-centered and miss out on the bigger and more important purpose of what God wants to do in us and how He wants to use us in that unexpected situation to be a blessing to others. (Remember last week’s bulletin message, if not check it out on Facebook and on the Hope Chapel Oak Lawn website).
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Mark tells us something concerning the plans that Jesus had made for His Apostles who had just returned from a successful ministry time but also were tired and were hungry. “30 The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. 31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:30-31. Did you notice in verse thirty-one that something got in the way of, or hindered the deserved needed rest and recuperation plans that Jesus had made for them? So much so, they did not even have a chance to eat. How would you feel and react if that happened to you?
In verse thirty-one we read that Jesus recognized the apostle’s need of quiet and rest, but this could only be accomplished with no people around. However, Jesus also could not ignore the fact that there was a “large crowd” that needed to be ministered to. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.” Mark 6:34. Why was not the need of quiet and rest of the apostles more important than the needs of the “large crowd”?
Now that Jesus’ attention was focused on the “large crowd” and not on the apostles, what did the “large crowd” represent to the apostles? Applying this point to ourselves and as previously stated, when unexpected things happen that interferes or even cancels out our plans; do we become irritated and complain? Do we become so disappointed that we have a “pity party”? What do we say and or do to try to change the situation to work out in our favor? Are we so intent on what we want and what we think we need that we fail to understand what it is that Jesus wants to do and how He wants us to be part of His plans?
The apostle’s frustration about the “large crowd” was quite obvious that Matthew (Matthew 14:15), Mark (6:35,36) and Luke (9:12) tell us that they went to Jesus and told Him, “Send the crowd away”. Please note that apostle’s request was made while Jesus was ministering. This brings up the question, did they try to justify their request by pointing out to Jesus (as if Jesus did not realize) that where they were was desolate, it was quite late in the day and the crowd needed to eat? “When it was already quite late, His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and it is already quite late; 36 send them away so that they may go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” Mark 6:35,36. Were the disciples really that concerned about the well-being of the crowd? Or, was it that they wanted to get away from the “large crowd” to finally get to do what they thought was more important? Any way was it not Jesus’ idea to “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31?
Jesus could have very easily reprimanded them for making such a request, but He did not. Instead, He demonstrates His patience and love for them and at the same time His concern for the needs of the crowd.
In Part 2 we will see how Jesus uses this situation as a teaching and ministry opportunity for the apostles and as an opportunity for everyone to experience the miraculous power of God.
Pastor John
