In Luke 9: 10-17 we read the amazing account often referred to as the feeding of the 5000. It is, of course, a great example of the compassion of the Lord for those in need as well as a demonstration of His miraculous power. But it is also a wonderful insight into the discipleship of those closest to the Lord, the twelve disciples.
In verse 10 of this story, we read of the return of the disciples from the task the Lord had set for them to preach the gospel and to heal the sick (Luke 9:2). The Lord had given them power and authority to heal, cast out demons and preach the gospel. They couldn’t wait to tell the Savior all that they had seen and done! They were empowered and enthusiastic! The Lord “took them and went aside privately into a deserted place”. In the parallel passage in Mark 6:31, the Lord says to them “come aside and rest awhile”. The Lord encouraged rest after labor. But knowing the heart of the Savior, this was rest with a purpose. They would also talk, debrief and pray about all that had happened. So the first lesson we learn from the Lord Jesus Christ is Balance in life.
Their rest was short-lived as the multitude soon followed and we read the Lord “received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those in need of healing”. These were all things the disciples had just done on their journey for the Lord through the towns and villages around Galilee. Based on their recent experience they could have joined in to share the labor with the Lord, but we don’t read of that. Instead, we read that they wanted to send the people away rather than receive, teach and heal them! The Lord had an important lesson to teach them about Attitude.
In response to their poor attitude, the Lord Jesus gave them a Test. He said ‘you give them something to eat’. Some estimate that the disciple’s gospel journey had lasted anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Scripture does not tell us but it was long enough for them to be strengthened daily by the power and authority provided by the Lord. But as soon as they returned, it is almost as if they forgot what they had experienced on their travels. Their response to the Lord showed that their Faith, like their resources were small. They had no money and only a little food, but the Lord was about to show them what He could do, even though their faith was small.
The Lord then gave the disciples three Instructions, (vs 14-15) which are important for us to remember as well. First, they were to seat the multitude in groups of fifty. We are not always called to the 5000, but we are often called to the small group. Discipleship by its very nature is personal and relational. Secondly, the Lord asked the disciples to take what He had blessed and broken small and to distribute to the multitude in their smaller groups. They in essence became basket carriers of the bread of life. What a picture for us as followers of Christ. What a privilege to carry the Word of God, broken small, to a hungry and needy people! Thirdly, they were to Learn to follow up with the groups they had fed. The Lord often did this when He returned time and time again to places where He had performed miracles and taught the truth concerning Himself. “For we are God’s fellow workers” 1 Corinthians 3:9
- Balance: Lord encouraged rest after labor – Mark 6:31, “come aside and rest awhile”
- Attitude: Disciples wanted to send the people away
- Test: The Lord said you feed them
- Faith: Their faith, like their resources, was small – no money, and a little food
- Instruction: The Lord said sit the people down, blessed the food and broke it small
- Lesson: The disciples followed up after they had delivered and collected the food
Pattern Of Sound Words 