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YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT

Luke 9:10-17

Key Verse 13a

“He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

Introduction

Today’s passage shows that Jesus helped his twelve disciples to grow their faith further by making the most of the situation. Their title has been upgraded onto the apostles. May the Lord help us to overcome our rugged individualistic way of lifestyle and somehow adopt Jesus’ mind so that we may grow in His likeness. In this way may the Lord help us to become shepherds.

1. Read verse 10-11. What did Jesus do when the apostles returned? Why? What was Jesus’ attitude toward the uninvited crowd? What did he do for them? What can we learn from Jesus?

1-1, Read verse 10-11.

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

1-2, What did Jesus do when the apostles returned? Why?

When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,

In the previous passage, Jesus sent out his twelve disciples to preach and to heal with his power and authority. Verse 6 tells us that they preached and healed people everywhere they went.
They were now truly apostles, who had been sent out. They must have reported to Jesus with excitement how the power of Jesus had worked through them as they preached and healed others.
The mighty, life-giving work of God took place in them, among them and through them.
After hearing their reports, Jesus took the apostles with him and withdrew to the town Bethsaida.
In Mark 6:31 Jesus tells us why he did this. He said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Jesus wanted to give his disciples time to rest and reflect. So they “withdrew” by themselves.

1-3, What was Jesus’ attitude toward the uninvited crowd?

He welcomed them

Jesus had a plan for quiet time with his disciples. But when the crowds crashed his retreat, Jesus did not say, “Go away.”
Jesus was flexible and ready to change his schedule.
When something unexpected comes up that needs to be done, it’s easy to get frustrated.
We Americans are busy and don’t have enough times to get our daily duties done.
We do not want to be interrupted. So we select certain phone calls.
Here in this passage Jesus did not draw the line about where and when to accept the crowd.
The crowds were very enthusiastic to follow Jesus wherever he went.
Jesus could have been burdensome but welcomed them.
Jesus’ example helps us to overcome our individualistic and self centered lifestyle.
Jesus is the Chief shepherd for us to follow his good example.
May the Lord help us to renew our hearts so that we may follow his footstep instead of making excuses not to welcome God’s flocks.
May the Lord help us to simplify our lifestyle so that we may grow as shepherds after Jesus’ welcoming heart anytime.

1-4, What did he do for them?

He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

Jesus' ministry consists of both preaching and healing.
As Jesus had sent the twelve to proclaim the kingdom of God in the previous passage(Verse 2), Jesus continued to give people the message of the kingdom of God.
To some people, the message of the kingdom of God sounds impractical. They would much rather talk about sports or politics or the economy.
To Jesus, all people need the message of the kingdom of God, even if it looks like they need food. (John 6)
When we have the message of the kingdom of God, we see which is the real reality of God.
People are under the rule of either God and Satan, whether we see this or not.
With God’s rule in one’s mind and heart and soul, all fear and meaninglessness.
We can escape an empty way of life that is focused on ourselves and circumstances and pursue eternal meaning and purpose in God. ss is taken away.
One who accepts the message of the kingdom of God receives true love, peace and joy of living in and through God’s rule in our hearts.
Jesus also healed all who needed healing. Jesus helped people practically with their life problems. Jesus didn’t just speak to them about God’s kingdom.
Rather Jesus helped people with their life problems and difficulties.

1-5, What can we learn from Jesus?

Although Jesus is the Creator God and the Word according to John 1:1-3, he became flesh(John 1:14) and dwelled among us.
When apostle John confessed that Jesus was full of truth and grace, he must have in mind today’s event.
Jesus shows what love is all about in and through his practical example in welcoming the uninvited crowds.
May the Lord help us to grow and mature daily by putting into practice what Jesus had shown.
May the Lord help us to have welcoming spirit so that we may serve God’s flocks anytime with God’s heart.

2. Read verses 12-13a. What problem did the disciples to Jesus? What was their reasonable suggestion? What did Jesus say to them? (13a) What do you think he was teaching them here?

2-1, Read verses 12-13a.

12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.”

2-2, What problem did the disciples bring to Jesus?

2-3, What was their reasonable suggestion?

Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.

“Late in the afternoon” means the day was almost over and it was getting dark.
They actually had a very reasonable suggestion for they were far from town. It took time for the people to go back their places.

2-4, What did Jesus say to them? (13a)

2-5, What do you think he was teaching them here?

Jesus replied, “You give them something to eat.”

First of all the disciples thought that the crowd had to solve their own problem. Jesus did not agree.
The disciples said, “they.” Jesus said, “you.” Jesus wanted them to take responsibility and do something for them.
Jesus did not want his disciples to be spectators forever. At the previous passage Jesus had already sent them out to preach and to heal.
Their title has been changed from Jesus’ twelve(verse 1) into the apostles(verse 10), indicating that the author Luke must have sensed where Jesus came from in terms of continuing the training for them.
Jesus determined to include them in ministering to this huge crowd. That meant that each disciple had to help and serve them by faith.
We can also learn from Jesus in terms of giving spirit.
Jesus gave and gave and gave until he gave his life.
Reasonably speaking, if we do not give to others then we cannot say that we really know Jesus.
Jesus already pointed out in Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Paul learned from Jesus, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
What a blessing it is to participate in Jesus’ work!
Those who do something for others in Jesus’ name grow in Jesus’ image without limit.

3. Read verses 13b-17. What did the disciples bring to Jesus? How did Jesus make them participate in feeding the 5,000? What then did Jesus do? (16) What happened? What can we learn from this miracle?

3-1, Read verses 13b-17.

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

3-2, What did the disciples bring to Jesus?

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.”

The disciples did a good job in finding something, rather than complaining about Jesus’ impossible command.
They found something, though it was small: 5 loaves and 2 fish.
Often times we may wonder if we can make a difference?
Actually we cannot do much. But Jesus can!
Jesus didn’t expect his disciples to come up with 5000 subway tuna sandwiches. Jesus just wanted them to give whatever they had.
Then he would bless it and use it to bless others. Jesus wanted them to start with what they had, not with what they didn’t have.
With Jesus’ perspective we can become faithful servants in doing God’s work.

3-3, How did Jesus make them participate in feeding the 5,000?

“Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”

The disciples suggested to Jesus by saying, “Send them away.”
Now Jesus tells them, “Have them sit down.”
So each disciple had to manage and serve about 10 groups of 50 people. That’s not an easy job! In this way, Jesus wanted to include them in his work.
Verse 15 says, “The disciples did so, and everybody sat down.” Jesus prepared an environment of faith. His disciples simply obeyed his instructions.
They did not question or argue with Jesus. When the disciples followed Jesus’ orders, the people followed their directions.

3-4, What then did Jesus do? (16)

Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people.

Finally, Jesus took the 5 loaves and the 2 fish. Looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.
Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. Jesus taught them and us to thank God for our food and for all his provisions.

3-5, What happened?

They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

3-6, What can we learn from this miracle?

Jesus is the Maker and Supplier.
His disciples were the servers and distributors.
We only have to give something to him in faith. Then Jesus will multiply it to bless others.
Jesus’ blessing flows to those who give to him and to others through them. We all want to be blessed and then become a blessing.
It is possible by growing in the mind of Jesus.
May God help us to grow as the apostles of Jesus whose hearts are aligned with that of Jesus and to give something to others.

Conclusion

This passage shows the power of welcoming heart as well as the power of faith in bringing our small things for in Jesus everything is possible. We are living in this busy world and are prone to draw the line like the disciples. However we see vision to become like our Chief Shepherd, Jesus. We are privileged to take part in Jesus’ compassionate ministry and become a source of blessing to overflow into the whole world. Amen.

One word: You give them something to eat!