“YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT”

Passage: Luke 9:10-17

Key verse: 13

NIV

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(A)(B)

10 When the apostles(C) 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,(D) 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God,(E) 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 everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.(F) 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.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

10 On their return (A)the apostles told him all that they had done. (B)And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he (C)welcomed them and (D)spoke to them of the kingdom of God and (E)cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now (F)the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, (G)“Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” 13 But he said to them, (H)“You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than (I)five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, (J)he looked up to heaven and (K)said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Read full chapter
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The apostles returned from their first preaching journey. Jesus withdrew with them to Bethsaida to give them a mini vacation. But a crowd of 5,

followed Jesus even to the site. Jesus did not turn them away. Instead, he welcomed them and served them through his teaching and healing. Jesus served them not out of obligation or habit but out of his shepherd’s heart. Jesus saw their needs and gave more than what he had planned. One who has a shepherd’s heart can see the needs of others and is not afraid of self-sacrifice to welcome and serve them.

Sometime later, the disciples told Jesus to send the crowds away to find food and lodging. To their realistic suggestion, Jesus said, “You give them something to eat.” Jesus wanted them to learn a few lessons in faith as they would somehow feed the crowds. The disciples had only 5 loaves and 2 fish. But Jesus blessed what they brought, and with it, fed the crowd. Jesus wanted the disciples to learn that God can multiply anything they would give to him for more than they could imagine. God can multiply and use our talents, time, or materials greatly when we give them to him in faith.

Prayer: Lord, my resources are meager, but take my 5 loaves and 2 fish and use them for your feeding work.

One Word: Jesus multiplies