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The People Had An Immediate and Pressing Need. v v 1-6. This episode takes place after Jesus healed an invalid ( Jn 5:1-15). Everyone knew what Jesus had done. The crowds follow Jesus because they, too, need healing.
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This episode takes place after Jesus healed an invalid (Jn 5:1-15). • Everyone knew what Jesus had done. • The crowds follow Jesus because they, too, need healing. • “When Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick” (Matt 14:14). • “The multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing” (Lk 9:11).
The people also need something to eat. • “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” (v 5). • “When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food’” (Matt 14:15). • The crowd Jesus encounters had some real needs. • Many are sick, perhaps with diseases no doctor can cure. • They are hungry, and far from a place to find food.
The People Had An Immediate Person To Address That Need vv 7-11
When He sees the crowd, Jesus has compassion. • He has already asked Philip where they’re going to buy bread for the people to eat. • “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little,” v 7. • Do we sometimes want to keep our distance from hurting people? • Andrew: “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” v 9. • Sometimes, like Andrew, we want to help but feel so inadequate.
This text shows the inadequacies of the apostles. • Philip couldn’t come up with enough money. • Andrew couldn’t come up with enough food. • Jesus can help!
Jesus will help us when we need help, too. • Sometimes the response isn’t immediate. • “He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Lk 18:1). • If help is always immediate, why “pray and not lose heart”?
At times, God does help us immediately. • Forgiveness is immediate. • “Now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). • Comfort can be immediate. • “[Cast] all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet 5:7).
How will we respond when others need our help. • There is great danger in waiting to help. • “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (Jn 9:4). • “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (Js 4:17). • Will we wait when others need us, or will we help as soon as possible?