Christ-Light Connections: Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand & Jesus Walks on the Water

Again and again, Jesus asks his disciples, “Why do you doubt?” The almighty Judge and all-powerful Creator many times accuses his disciples of having little faith. After all they had seen and heard, they still didn’t get it. Their hearts will still hard. Yet, we have a God who is gracious and patient. His abounding love and great compassion compel him to teach and instruct his children.

The Christ-Light theme this week is Jesus teaches his disciples to trust him.

NT2 3A

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand — Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15

Context

This story comes shortly after the death of John the Baptist. King Herod is aware of Jesus and starting to ask questions. Crossing the lake gave Jesus some distance from the paranoid king as well as an opportunity for rest.

The disciples have just returned from their short-term mission journeys. Jesus was training them to participate in the growth of God’s Kingdom. Before they left, Jesus had given the power to heal the sick and cast out demons.

Big Ideas

Jesus’ Compassion (Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:34)

As 100% human, Jesus was tired and needed to mourn the death of his cousin John, but he could not get away from the crowds. Despite his own needs, he was filled with compassion. Compassion is the fuel that motivates God. Whenever the compassion of God is mentioned in scripture, it is accompanied by action. Jesus spent the day with these lost sheep, teaching them about the Kingdom of God and nourishing their starved souls.

Desolate Place (Matthew 14:15, Mark 6:35)

Different Bible translations translate the word remote as isolated, desolate, or deserted. This massive crowd followed the Shepherd out into the wilderness because their souls were thirsty. Now, their stomachs were hungry. Would it even be possible for so many (10,000-15,000) to find enough food in the nearby villages? What would they do? The return to the other side of the lake would take about eight hours. It seems that little planning had gone into the trip. Their eyes were fixed on Jesus. The sheep waited for the Shepherd to help them.

The state of the people reminds us of our state in sin. In sin, we are alone, desolate, and isolated from God. Our souls are starved. We are unable to find our own spiritual nourishment. Our only hope is the Bread of Life.

You Give them Something to Eat (Matthew 14:16, Mark 6:37, Luke 9:13, John 6:5)

Jesus issued an odd command to the disciples. Any time Jesus says something a bit shocking, a lesson follows. Recall that the disciples had seen Jesus perform many miracles already. Most of these miracles helped individuals but not such a large crowd of people. The disciples had also just returned from their short-term mission trips in which they were given the power to heal and cast out demons leaving us to wonder what Jesus actually meant when he gave the problem to his disciples.

But, this situation was new and would stretch their faiths to a greater understanding of who Jesus was. Only the Creator could make so much out of so little. Only a God full of compassion would give until the people he loved were fully satisfied.

Conversation Starters:

• What do you think? Could the disciples have fed the crowd? Explain your thoughts.
• How did this miracle stretch the faiths of the disciples in a new way?
• How does the boy’s tiny offering of bread and fish shape the way we view our offerings? (John 6:9)

King by Force (John 6:15)

This man had taught them, healed their sick, and fed them a satisfying meal. The people responded to Jesus by wanting to make him their king. Their lives on earth would be so much easier if food was always plentiful and sickness and disease could be instantly healed. Sadly, the crowd was damnably short-sighted and missed Jesus’ message about the Kingdom of God. Jesus had certainly come to be their king, but not an earthly king in charge of temporary problems. He was here to be their eternal King. He would deliver his people from the enemies of sin and death. He was here to bring them into an everlasting citizenship in heaven.

Conversation Starters:

• How does this miracle remind us of the manna in the wilderness? Compare Moses’ rescue of the Israelites to Jesus’ rescue of all people.
• What does Jesus mean when he calls himself the Bread of Life? (John 6:35) How is it similar and different than Living Water?

Digging Deeper

Seeds of Faith provides Law and Gospel points as well as helpful discussion questions.

Read Jesus’ sermon that followed this miracle in John 6:22-71 and discuss the artwork based on this section.

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NT2 3B

Jesus Walks on the Water — Matthew 14:22-34; Mark 6:45-53; John 6:16-21

Context

After Jesus fed the crowd of more than 5,000 people, he finally had a chance to rest. Rest for Jesus was a night alone in prayer with his Father. During this night, the disciples were sailing back across the lake.

Big Ideas

He Saw the Disciples Straining (Mark 6:48)

This was yet another stressful night on the lake for the disciples. Mark indicates that Jesus saw his disciples straining, yet he did not go to them right away. He was fully aware of what the disciples were experiencing.

We reflect on the time Jesus calmed the storm and wonder, why didn’t Jesus smooth out the waters again? Why allow his disciples to experience distress when he had the power to prevent it? The great teacher knew what his pupils needed.

Conversation Starters:

• How is it comforting to know that Jesus sees us in our struggles?
• How can a loving God allow his children to suffer?

Jesus Went Out to Them (Matthew 14:24-27, Mark 6:47-50, John 6:19-21)

Our God is not distant, but one who was willing to come down from heaven and join his people on earth. Rather than calming the wind so the disciples could safely cross the lake, Jesus goes to his disciples in the midst of the storm.

Our sinful natural reaction to God is fear. Although they had witnessed multiple miracles and performed miracles themselves, faithlessness prevented them from recognizing the one who watched over them and would save them. Despite the faithless reaction, Jesus continued to come to them and reassured them.

Conversation Starter:

• Isn’t it surprising to see how weak and absent the disciples’ faith was? Read John 6:44. From where does faith come? How does this comfort us as we share the gospel?

Peter and Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31)

Peter was all in. Either this man was his Savior, or he would drown. By faith, he stepped out of the boat. By faith, he walked on water. In fear, he took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink. Failing, Peter cried out, “Lord, save me.” Immediately, Jesus responded to his cry for help and caught him.

Doesn’t our faith look like Peter’s? Sometimes our trust is implicit, and our eyes are focused on Jesus. Sometimes the waves of fear overwhelm us, and we are in danger of sinking. Just like Peter, we cannot walk on water or have the faith that we should. And, just like Peter, Jesus will always catch us when we cry out to him.

Conversation Starter:

• How could you use this story to help a struggling Christian?

Digging Deeper

Seeds of Faith provides Law and Gospel points as well as helpful discussion questions.