I have been doing a study of Matthew and today I was looking at the story of the feeding of the 5000 and thought I would share the thoughts God gave me. Hope that it helps you as well. I also included some more pics from Uganda.
7. Here is what I see as the take home points from this:
a. Jesus was not on a schedule; He looked at needs as they came up and was not concerned about meeting His own needs.
b. Jesus invited the disciples to participate in the miraculous that He knew was coming. He did not have to do that. Likewise He often invites us to participate with Him in the work of His kingdom.
c. The disciples saw only what was physically obvious, not what was possible in the Spirit. It was not so much a lack of faith as it was just not being able or willing to look beyond the possible. We do not need Him to do the possible. Thus He works in our lives when we are weak and in desperate need. It is not fun to be in a place of need, but that is where we meet God and it is worth it in the long run.
d. All He asks of us is to bring to Him what we have and He will use that to bless us and to bless others. It does not have to be a lot and in fact He can work mightily when it is not much – He only asks that we give all of what we have and not hold back. What do you think would have happened if the disciples had held back a couple of loaves for themselves just in case; after all they deserved it didn’t they? And this refers to more than just money or food – it applies to everything we do for Him, our time, talents, giftings, ect.
e. Jesus took what they had and gave thanks from whence it came and asked the One to whom could to bless what was not enough but what was given freely.
f. He then involves the disciples again in doing His work. This is a pattern which continues for us. Jesus gives to us so that we in turn can give to others. We are not to be reservoirs of God’s grace but conduits so that it flows freely from Him to them.
g. The people ate their fill. When Jesus blesses He does not just give enough to tantalize us, but He fulfills our needs. The problem with the bread is that in a few hours they are going to be hungry again and in need of more. But Jesus offers to us Himself, the bread of life, so that in Him we will be fully and completely satisfied forever. We can abide in Him and through His Spirit live in constant communion with Him.
h. Just as Jesus needed to break the bread so that it could spread and satisfy every one, His body (the bread) had also to be broken (death on the cross) so that He could satisfy the needs of all of us (the forgiveness of sins).
i. Lastly it is interesting that He had them pick up the pieces left over, and I think He did it for reasons other to keep the ants away.
1) One was simply to not be wasteful of the resources God gives us.
2) Another is to show the disciples the overabundance of His grace for us.
3) Then I think as well He did not want people to hoard and store away the blessings of God, much like the Israelites were not to try to take more manna than they needed. For us it means that we need to stay in constant contact with Him (abide in Him, John 15) as we cannot store Him up for a rainy day.
4) Lastly was to show them that He will continue to provide for them as long as they give their all to Him.
a. Jesus was not on a schedule; He looked at needs as they came up and was not concerned about meeting His own needs.
b. Jesus invited the disciples to participate in the miraculous that He knew was coming. He did not have to do that. Likewise He often invites us to participate with Him in the work of His kingdom.
c. The disciples saw only what was physically obvious, not what was possible in the Spirit. It was not so much a lack of faith as it was just not being able or willing to look beyond the possible. We do not need Him to do the possible. Thus He works in our lives when we are weak and in desperate need. It is not fun to be in a place of need, but that is where we meet God and it is worth it in the long run.
d. All He asks of us is to bring to Him what we have and He will use that to bless us and to bless others. It does not have to be a lot and in fact He can work mightily when it is not much – He only asks that we give all of what we have and not hold back. What do you think would have happened if the disciples had held back a couple of loaves for themselves just in case; after all they deserved it didn’t they? And this refers to more than just money or food – it applies to everything we do for Him, our time, talents, giftings, ect.
e. Jesus took what they had and gave thanks from whence it came and asked the One to whom could to bless what was not enough but what was given freely.
f. He then involves the disciples again in doing His work. This is a pattern which continues for us. Jesus gives to us so that we in turn can give to others. We are not to be reservoirs of God’s grace but conduits so that it flows freely from Him to them.
g. The people ate their fill. When Jesus blesses He does not just give enough to tantalize us, but He fulfills our needs. The problem with the bread is that in a few hours they are going to be hungry again and in need of more. But Jesus offers to us Himself, the bread of life, so that in Him we will be fully and completely satisfied forever. We can abide in Him and through His Spirit live in constant communion with Him.
h. Just as Jesus needed to break the bread so that it could spread and satisfy every one, His body (the bread) had also to be broken (death on the cross) so that He could satisfy the needs of all of us (the forgiveness of sins).
i. Lastly it is interesting that He had them pick up the pieces left over, and I think He did it for reasons other to keep the ants away.
1) One was simply to not be wasteful of the resources God gives us.
2) Another is to show the disciples the overabundance of His grace for us.
3) Then I think as well He did not want people to hoard and store away the blessings of God, much like the Israelites were not to try to take more manna than they needed. For us it means that we need to stay in constant contact with Him (abide in Him, John 15) as we cannot store Him up for a rainy day.
4) Lastly was to show them that He will continue to provide for them as long as they give their all to Him.
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