Feeding of the 5000… vs. 30-44

• Mourning the death of a friend… vs. 30-34
  • The disciples returned from sharing the Gospel in Galilee – telling Jesus all they had done…
    • Jesus and the disciples were so busy they hardly had time to eat…
    • So Jesus had them go by boat to a deserted place where they could rest for a while…
    • Life can be VERY busy sometimes – all the more reason to get some time with Jesus
    • In a busy and sometimes hectic life – Jesus is where we find clarity and direction
  • The multitudes saw Jesus departing – and went on foot arriving before them!
    • And Jesus went out – not out of a building – but from His ‘time of rest’ – back to work
    • Like sheep without a shepherd – had compassions on them – taught them many things
    • When I am tired and weary – I don’t have much compassion…
    • I love that even when Jesus was exhausted and worn out – He still loved the people
    • Never turned them away – never asked them to come back (buas lang)
    • He still does not today – He is always there anytime we need Him!
      
• Feeding the multitudes… vs. 35-44
  • The problem: The disciples came to Jesus with a problem…
    • It had gotten to be late in the afternoon and the people had not eaten
      • They were in an isolated place so there was nowhere to buy food
      • The disciples solution – Have Jesus send them away to find food
      • This was a perfectly logical solution – there was no other reasonable option
    • If they had not asked Jesus – that is exactly what they would have done…
      • Often we will find ourselves having to make difficult decisions
      • We may do the best we know how to find the most logical solution
      • If we don’t take the problem to Jesus – we are limited to OUR best option
  • The command: Instead Jesus gives them a simple command – you feed them!
    • This was an absurd command – there were 5000 men (+ women and kids)
      • They asked Jesus if they were supposed to go buy 200 days wages worth of bread!
      • Instead Jesus told them to find out how many loaves of bread they already had…
      • The disciples found they only had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish…
      • Imagine trying to feed over 15,000 people with 5 bowls of rice and 2 fish!
      • That’s more than the population of San Antonio, Calasa, and Lagtipon!
    • It is not difficult – even if you only gave each a grain of rice – it’s just not enough!
      • The problem we face when trying to make a decision going to Jesus…
      • Is that we are limited to our own resources
      • We only have so much time, so much money, so many talents
      • Often they are just not enough to take care of the problems that we face…
  • The solution: Give Jesus the loaves and fishes…
    • Jesus did not care what they had – all that mattered was that they gave it to Him!
      • If the disciples had 500 loaves of bread it would not have been enough
      • But when they took the little they had to Jesus
    • He made it more than enough to take care of the problem – all were filled!
      • So often we get caught up with looking at what we have
      • We may think that we don’t have enough money, enough time, or talent
      • Our problem is we are focused on ourselves – but it is not about us…
      • We miss the point completely – it is not about what we have
      • It is about whom we give it to!  Jesus!
      • When we give whatever we have – Jesus makes it more than enough!
      • The story of the auction of the old fiddle (in the hands of the master)
  • The results: Jesus took the what little had been given – blessed it – and gave it back
    • What started as 5 loaves and 2 fish – became enough to feed thousands!
    • The disciples gave the little they had – Jesus gave abundantly in return
    • So much so everyone was full – and there were 12 full baskets left over!
    • When we give all we have to Jesus – not only is it enough – plenty left over!
    • If you are here and overwhelmed by problems – feel empty inside
    • Give it all to Jesus – He will meet the need – with enough left over – to fill you up too!

The wind and the Waves… vs. 45-52

• Immediately Jesus made His disciples to go to the other side… vs. 45-46 
  • The multitudes wanted to make Jesus King…
    • The disciples might also be caught up in the excitement of the moment
      • Imagine if someone was able to feed 15,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish
      • They would have won the presidential election!
      • It’s no wonder the people were ready to take Jesus and make Him king
    • But there was a problem – they did not want Him as king for the right reasons…
      • John 6:15,26 – “Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king… Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled.”
      • The people only wanted food – they were not looking for salvation – the Bread of Life…
      • They needed physical bread for the body – but more so spiritual bread for their soul!
      • John 6:35 – “ And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.”
      • Do we look to God only so He’ll give us what we want – physical needs / food
      • Or do we come to Jesus because He is the answer for Eternal life!
  • Jesus went up THE mountain to pray…
    • Remember why Jesus was here in the first place – to get some rest / perspective
      • Perhaps with a heavy heart knowing that the crucifixion was fast approaching
      • The reaction of the crowd only further weighing on His heart…
      • The people who He came to give eternal life – only wanted bread and fish
    • Jesus went to the only place He could find comfort and strength – prayer
      • It is not a question of if we will have problems in life – but when…
      • When things are not going well –where do we go – what do we do
      • Do we rely and depend on others – do we rely on ourselves…
      • Or do we take the time to get alone with Jesus – seek Him for the answers
        
• Walking on water… vs. 47-52
  • Meanwhile the disciples were not doing so well in the boat – the wind was against them…
    • The Sea of Galilee is not that big – only 11 kilometers wide
      • But it had taken the disciples hours to only get half way across
      • The Sea of Galilee is 209 meters below sea level
      • Mt. Hermon just to the north is 2, 814 meters high (snow capped in winter)
      • This difference makes for very turbulent weather and strong winds on the water…
    • They ‘tested’ as they rowed against the wind…
      • The test – Jesus told them to get to the other side – but it was not easy
      • No doubt they began to doubt if they were going to make it…
      • They might have even considered turning back…
      • They were trying their best, but it wasn’t enough – stuck in the wind
      • When the Lord tells us to do something – it is easy to say yes Lord
      • But how about when things get tough – Jesus does not say it will be easy
      • Do we give up then – turn the boat around and head back home…
      • Following Jesus is no guarantee of an easy life – it guarantees of eternal life
      • So why does it have to be difficult – we have to learn to rely on Jesus
      • Far to often we have the tendency to depend on ourselves
      • Part of learning to follow the Lord – is also learning to depend on Him
  • About 3 am – Jesus came walking out on the water…
    • Jesus had been watching them the whole time…
      • Jesus let them struggle in the storm – but He never stopped watching out for them…
      • Like a little child learning to walk – with the parents never far away
      • They will let their child stumble and wobble along – learning all the way
      • But they are also right there to pick them up and keep them safe
      • Jesus allows us to go through testing and trials – but we are NEVER alone
      • He is always there with us – watching over us – keeping us safe
    • Jesus came walking out on water – and would have passed by them…
      • He’d already taught them the lesson – listen to His word – not look at the circumstances
      • Once before Jesus had calmed the wind and the waves – Mark 4:35-41
      • If we look at the storms of life we will be overwhelmed – fearful and unsure
      • If we listen to Jesus – then we can have perfect peace in the midst of the storm!
      • Jesus knew they would get to the other side – and He was going there to meet them
      • (Side note – Mark does not record Peter walking on the water – then sinking)
      • (As Mark was Peter’s account of Jesus’ life – perhaps he preferred to forget that part…)
    • The disciples were terrified and thought Jesus was a ghost (walking on water)
      • Immediately Jesus spoke, ‘Be of good cheer – I AM – do not be afraid.’
      • He went up into the boat and immediately – again – the wind stopped!
      • The disciples were amazed – again – because their hearts were still hard – calloused…
      • The reality is we rarely learn a lesson the first time we are taught
      • Jesus is more than willing to teach the same lesson again – and again – and again
      • Ever wonder why there are 4 Gospels – very similar – we did not get it the 1^st time!

The 2^nd time around… vs. 53-56

• Coming back to Gennesaret… vs. 34-36 
  • Gennesaret – the Decapolis – on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee…
    • The men recognized Jesus – epiginosko – to know thoroughly by experience
      • This was not the first time they had seen Jesus – ‘Legion’ – Mark 5:1-20
      • They had rejected Jesus the 1^st time – they had begged him to leave
    • This time they ran through the whole region – bringing everyone to Jesus!
      • Why the change of heart – the man ‘legion’ whom Jesus healed stayed behind
      • Mark 5:20 – “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”
      • Because he had shared about Jesus – the people were now hungry to receive Jesus!
      • When we first share the Gospel with someone – they just might ask us to leave
      • But as they see the work God has done in our lives – as we continue to love them
      • There will come a day when they are hungry to receive the Gospel of Jesus!
      • Don’t give up on those who are hard hearted – sometimes it takes a 2^nd time around
  • They came to Jesus and begged to just touch the hem of His garment…
    • We learned about the Hem in Mark 5 – the woman who had an issue of blood
    • The hem of a Jewish bayo was very special – it had 4 tassels – Numbers 15:38-39 
    • The hem of Jesus’ bayo represented the Word
    • When people are confused / lost / unsure – the answers are in the Word
    • If they unsure of what to do – not sure of the direction to take
    • Take them to the Word – God will give the answers they are looking for…