FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND
Monday – December 24, 2018, Tevet 16, 5779
Greetings dear friends and partners of The Three Minute Word and Eastern Gate Ministries International, Inc. Wow, the year is near over, it is Christmas Eve a time to celebrate the coming of the Messiah and a time to reflect on the year nearly past and the year that lies before us. Now is a time not to get into recrimination or condemnation but it is a time to examine ourselves and make executable plans to be more like Jesus this time next year. The famous Chinese General who wrote the “Art of War”, Sun Tzu, said that if one knows themselves and also knows their enemy they can and will win every battle. Anything less results in intermittent defeats, or defeat at every turn. We are never to assume we have arrived, be assured I have not and I suspect, neither have you. Let us together examine the Scripture, talking to the Lord, and let Holy Spirit guide us all forward becoming more like Jesus. We are to grow up into the image of Him. When the devil and his minions see us in our full battle gear (armor of God) and talking like Jesus they cannot stand before us. That is my pep talk for this teaching now to our primary Bible text in the Book of John, let’s read it aloud.
John 6:1-6 (KJV)
1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
Notice Jesus and the disciples have gone across the Sea of Galilee and are seated on a mountain and people are gathering unto Him. They have heard His sayings and they have seen or heard of the wonderous miracles. They have come to hear and for any remaining sick to be healed. Notice in verse four that it is Passover time. This is the second Passover in the ministry of Jesus. The first was in chapter two.
John 2:13 (KJV)
13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
The second Passover in the ministry of Jesus is in our text from the sixth chapter of John so at this point Jesus’ ministry is some two years old. The third Passover and the one upon which Jesus is crucified as the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world comes in the eleventh chapter of John.
John 11:55 (KJV)
55 And the Jews’ passover was nigh at hand: and many went out of the country up to Jerusalem before the passover, to purify themselves.
The ministry of Jesus is three years in duration. He was most likely born in the spring around Passover, entered ministry at age thirty around Passover, and He dies on the Cross at Passover. As we come to verse five, we find Jesus asking Philip a question about how to feed the multitude before them. Before we proceed let me point out that this account of feeding the five thousand is also found in Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:32-44, and Luke 9:10-17. If you examine the whole account from these sources you will find that the people had been there at least one whole day and they had heard the Word and He had healed many. Now rather then send them away hungry and at risk of fainting Jesus asks Philip how they might be fed. Jesus already knew of the Father via Holy Spirit what He was about to do.
John 6:6 (PassionNTPsa)
6 Now Jesus already knew what he was about to do, but he said this to stretch Philip’s faith.
Now, let’s look at Philips’ response.
John 6:7-9 (KJV)
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
As I looked at various Bible translations the amount of money represented by “Two hundred pennyworth” varies from forty dollars (Amplified) to thousands of dollars (Passion). In any event, there appears to be no place to purchase food nearby but it is not clear if there were sufficient funds should there have been a store available. I suspect that there were adequate funds and perhaps even a place to purchase food although the text does not make that clear either way. Just because a thing can be accomplished by natural means does not mean that is how the Father wants it accomplished. When we can do it ourselves is not the time to turn our discerner off. It is important that we never ever forget that Jesus is our example, our model, and the things He did are an example for us to follow. Lord willing, I will pick up right here tomorrow Christmas Day.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
PRAYERS AND QUESTIONS – please, anytime you have an issue that you want me, this ministry to pray for you, a person you love or a situation contact me. Accordingly, if you should have a question about the Bible, please do not hesitate to ask it.
PARTNERSHIP AND GIVING – Those of you who are not Partners of this Ministry and you find this ministry to be of value to you and perhaps others with whom you share it, we ask you to consider becoming Partners. A Partner is one who prays for the Ministry on a regular basis and contributes to the Ministry on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, annually). Thank you and may the Lord be pleased with your decision.
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/awakearisetriumphministries
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
MAILING ADDRESS: 10 Village Green Circle, Oakland, Maine 04963
MY BOOKS: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org/shop/
