The Lessons in the Miracle of Feeding the 5000
The story of the feeding of the 5000 with five loaves and two fishes (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:32-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13) teaches many lessons. Here are some:
1-Christians need to be compassionate. Christ “was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd” (Mark 6:34).
2-God uses the means that the believers have to perform a miracle. When Jesus inquired how much they had, Andrew said, “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes” (John 6:9).
3-Christ never worked a miracle except to supply a genuine necessity, and every miracle was to lead the people to the Father.
4-Christ offered the people simple food. He could have spread before the crowds a rich banquet, but He instead offered them a wholesome delicious simple meal that satisfied their physical needs.
5-God does not want His blessings wasted. Jesus said, “Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost” (John 6:12).
6-Christians need to depend on God when they face impossible places. Successful work for Christ depends not so much on numbers or talents as upon pureness of purpose and the true simplicity of earnest, dependent faith.
7-When Jesus bids the believers, “Give ye them to eat,” they need to realize that His command is a promise, behind it is the same power that fed the multitude beside the sea (Mark 6:37).
8-The disciples of Christ were the channel of communication between Christ and the people. Likewise, Christians today are God’s tools to reach the world.
9-Christians can impart only that which they receive from Christ; and they can receive only as they impart to others. Thus, they should be constantly believing, trusting, receiving, and imparting.
10-The means in the believers’ possession may not seem to be sufficient for God’s work; but if they move forward in faith, believing in the all-sufficient power of God, abundant resources will open before them. If the work be of God, He Himself will provide the means for its accomplishment (Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 9:6-11).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
