Jesus feeds 5000 people
Jesus feeds 5000 people
At this time it was difficult for Jesus and his disciples to avoid the crowds (Matthew 14:13). They were tired, and they needed to rest. They left in a boat to go to a quiet place. But the crowds followed them on foot. When Jesus and the disciples landed, there was already a great crowd there. Jesus loved all people. He knew that the people in the crowd needed his help. Mark records this:
34 Jesus got out of the boat and he saw a large crowd. He felt sorry for them. He thought to himself, ‘These people are like sheep that have nobody to take care of them.’ So he began to teach them many things.
Mark 6:34 EasyEnglish Bible (EASY)
Jesus wanted people to trust him. He taught them about the kingdom of God (Luke 9:11). He also cured people who were ill. Late in the day the disciples wanted to send the crowds away. Everybody had travelled a long way. The people would have a long journey home. But Jesus wanted to feed the people first. Jesus cared about the crowds. We read about this many times. On another occasion Mark says:
Jesus gives food to 4,000 people
1 At that time, another large crowd had come to hear Jesus. The people had nothing to eat. Jesus asked his disciples to come to him. He said to them, 2 ‘I feel sorry for this crowd. They have been here with me now for three days and they do not have any food. 3 I do not want to send them back to their homes while they are hungry. They might fall down during their journey because they are weak. Some of them have travelled a long way to come here.’
Mark 8:1-3 EasyEnglish Bible (EASY)
Food for 5000 people
In Mark 6, the people had no food, but one boy had five loaves and two small fish. Jesus took these and gave thanks to God. Then he broke them, and the disciples distributed the food to the crowd. By a miracle there was enough food for everybody. There was plenty for 5000 people to eat well. There was even some food that the people did not eat. In fact, enough food remained to fill 12 baskets. This miracle was a sign with an important meaning. Afterwards there was a very important discussion.
The meaning of the miracle
The crowd immediately understood some of the meaning of this miracle. Many years before, God had provided bread for the Jews. This was when they were with Moses. Moses led them through the desert. Moses also had said that another prophet like him would come. Now Jesus was here. He was a great teacher, like Moses. Like Moses, he did miracles, and had provided bread by miracle. Surely Jesus was the prophet whom Moses spoke about! But the crowd thought that this prophet would be a king. He would fight for them and defeat their enemies. He would send their enemies away and establish the Jews' kingdom again.
The people wanted to make Jesus king
Jesus had to be very careful at this time. He was in danger. The crowd might take him by force and make him king. Also, if he went back across the lake to Galilee, there could be the same trouble.
So Jesus sent the disciples away in the boat. He himself went up a mountain to pray.
God's plan for Jesus
Jesus could have agreed to be king. That would mean that he would provide for people. He would give them food and keep them safe. But that was not God's plan. That was not why Jesus came to the world. He came to give people much more than this. People needed God to forgive them and to give them a peaceful life. They needed to know that God would give them eternal life. [Eternal life is the life that God gives to believers now. Eternal life will continue in heaven.] Only this would really satisfy people. This is why Jesus came.
We learn here how much Jesus loved people. He wanted them to trust him. He wanted them to be part of the kingdom of God. He showed his care when he provided for them. He showed his great power by his miracles. Jesus had great power, but he was also very gentle.
