Day 40

Luke 9:10–17 (NIV)

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.

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.” 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 everybody 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 set before the people. ¹⁷ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Pray for God to show you something to use from the passage

Read the Passage

Who is in the passage?

What action verbs do you see?

What other words stick out in your mind

Questions

There is a time of debriefing with the disciples and Jesus. How can that happen in our lives today?

Who is the miracle of the feeding for? Why do they need to see it?

Do I believe God can take what I have and grow it exponentially?

Notes

disciples come back from their going to villages. Time of debriefing and it seems a time for Jesus to prepare them who the next phase of ministry. But they cannot get away from crowd . In Mark account it talks of Jesus’ compassion for the crowd. (Mark 6:34) Luke says a similar thing in the word "welcomed" vs 11. Point Jesus cares, focus on ministry to people.

Healings appear secondary to the message in vs 11. Focus on the kingdom of God. That is where Jesus is trying to lead people

vs 12 (see 2 Kings 4:42-44) there is not a city around to feed or house the people so disciples make the obvious plea. Need to send them away so needs can be taken care of.

vs 13- Jesus' statement had to shock the disciples (how do we feed them?), Interesting they already know they supplies as if they had at least thought of the idea but soon realized it was impossible with what they had.

vs 14-17- there actually is no sense that the crowd is aware of the miracle. This miracle is for the disciples to see and think about. They had just gone on a missionary journey and told not to take anything (God will provide). Now Jesus reemphasizes His ability to provide. It will not be through the disciples resources but through Jesus resources, (His provision) that the disciples are able to feed the people. Not only is everyone satisfied (5000 men does not include the women and children) there is leftovers! Reminds me of Luke 6:38.

gave thanks and broke- the work of God and the thanking of God's work are implied. Realize the source of the provision!

Now it is the disciples who must be asking, "who is this man?" Sets up nicely the question Jesus will ask them

Do I believe God can take what I have and grow it exponentially?