THE MIRACULOUS FEEDING OF THE 5,000
By Evangelist Diana Gray
Copyright (c) 2001, All Rights Reserved

What principle for living the Christian life might we draw from 
the feeding of the 4 and 5,000 men as well as women and children?

     The miraculous feedings took  place about a year before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ upon the cross.  This is the only miracle that is mentioned in all four of the Gospels.  The impact was to be throughout history, a highly memorable occasion for the people of that time period and those of us today who hear about them. 
    At the northwestern side of the Sea of Galilee Jesus and His disciples went for a rest only to be followed by a great multitude of people numbering 5,000 men and an untold number of women and children.  They followed Jesus to see this great prophet and His miracles.  The multitude regarded Jesus as a great healer and brought their sick to be healed by Him. 
     The Lord asked Philip in John 6:5, "Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?"  He already knew the answer but He asked Philip to test His faith and to teach him a spiritual lesson.  In Isaiah 65:24 And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
      The Lord knows the solution to our problems way before we even think to ask them, but He asks us to help us to test our faith and see where we need improvement.  If Philip would have sat at the feet of Jesus saying, "Lord you will provide," would have demonstrated great faith but instead Philip calculated the cost to be eight months wages.  Totally ignorant of the fact that here stood before him the Messiah.  The Son of God who could do all things.   Feeding well over 5,000 people was a simple task for the Lord to accomplish.
     A small boy who out of simple faith came forward with all that he had to give. Five small loaves of bread and two fish.  The disciples looked at the whole crowd and simply couldn’t imagine feeding such a multitude, because they were looking at the problem instead of the solution, Jesus Christ.   The boy out of simple child like faith could see in his innocent  eyes that it would be enough through Jesus.  How much we should have childlike faith instead of mature intelligence.  What good would our intelligence do us if it keeps us out of Heaven? 
      God often times uses the small and insignificant to overwhelm the strong and powerful.  The boy was tiny and innocent yet out of his obedience coming forward to help feed all of the people he was rewarded with a full belly and a wonderful story to use as a witness to others about Jesus Christ.  This is a good lesson for all of us.  If we think we are insignificant the Lord can still use us if we walk in innocents like this child trusting the Lord to help see us through our problems. 
     People were tired, hungry and out of their needs Jesus took care of them.  This story let’s us know that nothing in life goes to waste, even the experiences we face if we trust Jesus to help us get through them.  We must trust out of faith like a child and even though we think the things that are happening to us are bad, they really have a positive lesson for us to learn.  Jesus wants us to come and trust Him with our lives.  God is a good God of positives and everything He says in His Word the Bible is full of positives. 
     The feeding of 4 and 5,000 men not to mention women and children was indeed a major event in the lives of all concerned yet in the end how many people turned away from the truth that Jesus was the Messiah that the prophets promised.  Jesus is all that we need to satisfy all of our needs if we will just turn towards Him we will be filled.
     Just as the 5,000 men were filled with loaves of bread and fish we will be filled with Spiritual food from having Jesus Christ in our lives.  Jesus is the answer to all of our problems and trials.  Nothing in our lives is insignificant and the Lord will help take care of us if we will just learn to trust and follow Him.
KJV Bible

    PLEASE NOTE: These Bible Studies may be printed out and used for "personal use only." They are "not" for profit in commercial  or public publication.  All Copyrights are reserved.  Please don't take them for other web sites.  This ministry retains the exscluive use of them.  If you desire to publish the mateial, please "ask for permission" by contacting this writer by e-mail address.  Permission to use these "bible study's" for  individual Church group bible study "is granted as long as you do not sell, donate or distrubute them.  "WE DO ASK THAT YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THE AUTHORSHIP OF THIS WRITER "DIANA GRAY MINISTRIES."  MAY THEY BE A BLESSING AND ENCOURAGE YOU INTO A DEEPER SPIRITUAL GROWTH.