Every one of the four gospels recounts the feeding of the five thousand. Each of the four gospels has its own context and purpose for including the miracle. Luke wrote to Theophilus and is using Herod’s question of ‘Who is He?’ to explain who Jesus is through the feeding of five thousand. Who is He? He is the Providing Messiah. From this miracle, we see that Jesus is both the physical and spiritual Provider. We hear many stories of men and families in the past being provided exactly what they needed to live or serve. Jesus is the Messiah and always provides what we need. As we study God’s word, we learn more deeply about our needs, especially our spiritual needs, and how Jesus has provided.
Why can we trust in Jesus to provide for us? Because of His ability, His identity, and His abundance (Mark 9:23). Jesus claims He is able to do anything.
His ability. The background of this miracle is Jesus wanting to spend time alone with His disciples, but the crowd followed them. Instead of sending them away, Jesus welcomed them. So in verse 12, after a long day of unplanned ministry, there is a messy situation caused by Jesus welcoming the crowd. The disciples complained to Jesus and they demanded Jesus send them away because they were not able to feed them or lodge them. ‘They were in a desolate place’. The circumstances were very dire and instead of trusting in Jesus, they had forgotten what Jesus had done (Luke 22:35).
Jesus challenges them. ‘You give them something to eat’. This was financially impossible (John 6:5-7). They didn’t have the money and they relied on others for their support (Luke 8:3). Even if they did have 200 denarii they wouldn’t be able to feed them all. There was no way the disciples could feed them through human ability. But when the situation is dire and dark, when all seems impossible, this is when Jesus shines brighter. This situation reminds us of God providing endless flour for Elijah and the widow’s family during the time of famine. God supplies what we need. Spiritually speaking, in the darkness of our sin, Jesus, the author of our faith, has provided salvation. He is supernatural and has done supernatural work in you. He will continue to provide for you.
His identity. Jesus is God. He is the God-man. We know God will never leave us alone without provision. He has both the desire and ability to provide. So Jesus takes the five loaves and two fish and feeds all of them. As Creator, Jesus made more than enough food from what was lacking.
‘Looked up to heaven’: Jesus looked towards His Father in heaven. This shows He is truly the Son of God (Luke 10:22; John 8:36,59). As the Son of God, He knows what we need, He knows how to provide, and He is able to provide. This demonstrates His perfect wisdom (Colossians 2:3). Wisdom is found in Jesus and you must abide in Him and in His word if you desire His provision (John 15:5-7).
Sometimes we might be in danger of Gnosticism. The modern Christian assumes Jesus provides only spiritually. We think that God’s word only applies to matters of faith but not to everyday practical matters. God feeds every bird, so how much more will God feed you (Luke 12:24; Matthew 6:32; Psalms 37:25)? To paraphrase John Macarthur – true spiritual concern for a person will be concerned with their physical well-being first. God not only provides physically but spiritually as well. Jesus’ life is seen in the feeding of the crowd where He took the loaves and fish, looked to Heaven, blessed them, and broke them. This act was like how Jesus was sent from Heaven and took on flesh which was broken on the cross so that we might eat of Him. Jesus gave food to the disciples who distributed the food. In the same way, people are saved by believing in the teaching of the apostles given by Jesus. Jesus, who is the Bread of Life, saves us from death to life. So eat from Jesus every day, because He will never run out. You will not go hungry (Deuteronomy 8:3).
If you are fed, then the Lord desires to use you to feed others. Jesus gave the food to the disciples to give to the crowd. Jesus is the source, but the disciples are the distributors. Jesus provides, but we are the ones to reach out to the community. There are so many around us who need the food that we have.
His abundance. Jesus never gives miserly or meagerly. Jesus provides abundantly. They had 12 full baskets left over. They started with nothing and ended up with an abundance. Before, they couldn’t afford to feed them even a small meal, but by the end, they couldn’t eat anymore. Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). His grace is lavished upon us (Ephesians 1:7-8). He did not spare His own Son and freely gives us all things (Romans 8:32). In Jesus we can be fully content (Philippians 4:12).
Application. During this whole meal, after they had complained, witnessing the power of Jesus, the disciples obeyed Jesus’ instructions. We too are called to willful submission to our good and providing Lord. We submit to Jesus because He loves us. We obey by loving God first and then loving others. When it comes to obedience, Jesus is our example to follow. He humbled himself and was obedient to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). For this obedience, God highly exalted Him. That Jesus is your Shepherd. He provides what we need and more. We obey Him.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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