Unexpected: Feeding the 5,000
This is the only event in Jesus’ life, besides the resurrection, that is included in all four of the Gospels: Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-15
John 6:1-5
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”
Philip was from Bethsaida (John 12:21); the feeding takes place near Bethsaida (Luke 9:10)
John 6:6-15
He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
Jesus is God’s answer to a bad reputation
It’s easy to think God doesn’t care
But Jesus was filled with compassion, knew the need, and had a plan
It’s easy to think God is impotent or incompetent
But Jesus created food for 20,000 people from a few leftovers
It’s easy to think God only cares about Himself
But Jesus put away His agenda and responded to the needs of the crowd
There are some Crazy Unexpected Takeaways from this event
Miracles never happen without a mess
Don’t “dis” people because of their lack of planning, preparation, or resources
Don’t dismiss / disown / disparage / discredit people for their mistakes
Remember what God has done, not what you think He cannot do
Give what you think is insignificant to God and watch what He does with it
“When we release what isn’t enough, God rewards us with what is enough” – Pastor Aaron Burke
Collect the leftovers and put them to use
Sermon Based Questions
- What is one of the most unexpected things God has done in your life? Or What’s the greatest or most memorable meal you have ever eaten?
- How do you know when to have healthy boundaries on people who are not prepared or don’t plan ahead, and when to have compassion on them as Jesus did?
- What do you have that you feel like is too insignificant for God to do anything with? How could He potentially use that for His glory?
- If you’re being honest with yourself, what is going on in your life that you think may be too big for God?
- What “leftovers” are present in your life that you might give back to God to use?