Jesus Feeds the 5,000
Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15
Although Jesus was rejected from his hometown, the crowds of people traveling for Passover followed Jesus after hearing news about the miracles He had performed. As Jesus and his disciples sought to get alone by boat, the crowd followed them along the shore by foot. So, when they finally came back to shore the crowd was waiting for them.
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 6:34).
The disciples suggested it would be best to send them away so they could find food but Jesus had compassion on them and provided all they needed as they drew near to him. When the people ate they were satisfied and they had abundant leftovers.
To illustrate this from my own experience, during the Winter of 2020, I moved back to Monmouth unexpectedly after a missionary training for moving to Japan. I found myself in a very hectic spot financially where I couldn’t afford rent. I was incredibly discouraged and felt my pride knocked down as I wasn’t able to work my way out of this deficit. It took me a month or so before I finally brought it to the Lord and asked for help/asking Him to provide. The Lord responded by providing me one time donations from the church. Shortly after, my loving roommates welcomed me to stay in our apartment rent-free as they affirmed I was in a hard spot while actively seeking to do the Lord’s work.
During this season I was failing to believe that Jesus is all I need to satisfy me and that He could provide my basic needs because he has compassion on me. In the midst of uncertainty, I found myself much like the disciples looking for what I needed as they sought to send the people away to find food. Later on, I developed a heart posture of the crowd who were seeking Jesus as I was reminded that He alone can satisfy regardless of the season I find myself in.
Devotional Questions:
Jesus had compassion on the people right after hearing that his friend John the Baptist died. Who are those that God desires you to have compassion on in the same way He has compassion on you?
The crowd was satisfied with what the Lord provided and didn’t ask for more. What is preventing you from believing that Jesus alone can satisfy?
