Miracles of Jesus - Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

Matthew 15:32-39

King James Version (KJV)

32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?

34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.

36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

39 And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala.

Mark 8:1-9

King James Version (KJV)

8 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.

4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

The miracle of feeding four thousand has very important message for us. Jesus taught us that miracles happens when there is a need for it. It might be a spiritual need and other needs, this miracle is to do with physical need. Hunger is one of the most important factor for many problems. Some beg, some steal, some earn in the right way, some donate so that no one should be hungry. But God intended us to have hunger, but a different kind of hunger. Spiritual hunger. As Jesus said in the Beatitudes -  Matthew 5:6 NIV
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 

Jesus is always compassionate:
32 Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.

This is what is called as Walk the Talk and not Talk the Talk, when Jesus said I have compassion - He also thought about why he should have compassion.
As Jesus then says "because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat. He looked at their situation, their need. Jesus not only said why they should be feeded, but also says that "I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way." He knows the consequences of what may happen if he did't show the people compassion. 

Jesus feeds the physical need:
Jesus feeds the people here who had a physical need. As we could see in the Lord's prayer - Matthew 6:11-12
English Standard Version (ESV)
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
We should ask our heavenly father for our daily bread. Jesus also teaches that we should ask for what is required for our daily requirement and not for tomorrow or some other days. 

Jesus blessed the gift:
Jesus always blesses and thanks to the heavenly father, showing due respect to the father. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
We should also be thankful for the gifts of our life. 
 Matthew 6:26 NIV

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Jesus glorified God in Heaven:
Jesus did all the miracles to glorify the father in heaven. He asked us to do the same in Matthew 5:16 (KJV)
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Our work or anything we do in life, it has to be to glorify father in heaven. Even when we do our work, we should do it as unto the lord, as Paul says in
Colossians 3:23 NIV

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

HAVE A GREAT, BLESSED AND HAPPY DAY AHEAD