The Feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17)

James Tissot (Nantes, France, 1836–1902, Chenecey–Buillon, France). The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes

When the apostles return, they give excited reports of their ministry. Jesus pulls them away to presumably debrief, recover, and learn more. However, the crowds follow, and Jesus does not turn them away. He continues to teach about the Kingdom, and to heal, late into the evening. When the disciples urge Him to send the crowds away out of concern for their provision, Jesus tells them to feed the crowds. They consider their meager resources or think about going to get supplies. They do not think to ask Jesus. Clearly, they are incapable of doing what Jesus has asked.

Jesus instructs them to have the crowd sit in groups. He then proceeds to take the meager provisions, 5 loaves and 2 fish. He looks to heaven, blesses the food, broke it, and gave it to the disciples to serve. This miracle is one that all four evangelists record.

In the context here in Luke, we see several applications, beyond the clear evidence of Jesus’s power and divinity:

-God wants to work through His people. Jesus had sent the apostles out, and they were used mightily by God through the power and authority Jesus had given them.

-Even as we are used by God, time away and alone with Him and each other to refresh, repower, and learn is important.

-Ministry does have an attractional element. People see what God is up to and some want more. Ministry models need to prepare for this attractional element. Service ministry and teaching ministry need to be ready for those attracted.

-The things God’s people are called to do are beyond their ability, power, and resources. That does not mean we need to just plan better or create good strategies to accomplish the mission in our own power. We need to turn to Jesus, asking Him to give us what we need to do the task.

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