Jesus Feeds 5,000

“We Want a King!”

• The feeding of the 5,000 is perhaps the best known miracle of Jesus– The only miracle in all four gospels– Jesus is with his disciples soon after John’s

death– He tries to get to a quiet place, but the crowds

meet on the sea shore– He goes to where the crowd is and teaches

them

• When it’s too late to send them home hungry (too far for many) they look for food – only a little is found

• He feeds the whole crowd– Mark says 5,000 men– Mark says they sat down in groups of 50 an

100 (militia style seating)– Mark adds the grass was green - springtime

• John 6:15

“When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.”

• Mark indicates that Jesus “made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead” while he dismissed the crowd.

• The text emphasizes the crowd following Jesus and his miracle of feeding them.– Behind the text lies an attempt by an organized militia

from all the villages around Galilee to make Jesus their king and lead them in battle against the Romans

– Jesus chose to focus on his original purpose– Luke indicates that Jesus taught them about the

Kingdom of God and healed some of them.– When he realized what they really wanted, Jesus sent

them away, including the disciples, and found a quiet place to pray – about his priorities.

Peter’s Confession

• Mark 8:27-9:1

• Jesus asked his disciples what people were saying about him.– John the Baptist– Elijah– One of the prophets

• Then Jesus asked them who they (his disciples) thought he was.

• Peter responded: “You are the Messiah.”

• Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone.– “Messiah” – a politically loaded term,

misleading

• Jesus then began talking about his being rejected, killed, and after three days rise.

• Peter took Jesus aside and “rebuked” him.

• Jesus then rebuked Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

• Then Jesus began to teach them about the seriousness of following him and getting the right idea regarding his ministry.

The Transfiguration

• Mark 9:2-8

• Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a mountain to pray (Luke).

• While there Jesus’ appearance changed and the disciples saw Moses and Elijah talking with him.

• Peter wants to build a monument of some sort to honor them.

• They hear a voice say, “This is my son, the beloved, listen to him.”– As if to emphasize – he is the one, not Moses

or Elijah – you are missing the point.

• Reinforces the idea that God is now working through Jesus – in a different sort of manner than Moses or Elijah.