Jesus Feeds the Multitude

Mark 6:35-44; 8:1-9

GOLDEN TEXT: “And Jesus said unto them. I am the bread of life: he that comth to Me shall never hunger: and he that believeth in Me shall never thirst.”—John 61:35

THE first episode in today’s lesson occurred just after the death of John the Baptist. The disciples had taken care of necessary details in connection with the burial of the prophet, and had reported the event to Jesus. Naturally the people were excited and it was but natural that their attention should be riveted more than ever on the Master, who, according to the flesh, was John’s second cousin, and the one whom the prophet himself had announced as the “Lamb of God.”—John 1:29

The circumstances added to the physical strain of an already zealous ministry; so Jesus suggested to His disciples that together they retire to a quiet place to obtain a much-needed rest—“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while,” is the way the Evangelist reports this invitation. (Mark 6:31) The intention was a good one, but the people did not permit it to be carried out. Some noticed the attempt to slip away in a boat to the opposite side of the lake, and reported it. The news circulated quickly in the neighborhood, and even to nearby communities, and by the time Jesus and the disciples reached their destination where they hoped to be able to rest, a multitude was there waiting or them, having hurried around the shore of the lake.

Here was a most interesting situation. What was to be done? The little company of weary servants could probably have pushed their boat out into the lake, refusing to minister further to the people until they obtained their needed rest, or they could meet the situation as it was, accepting further service despite their weariness. Jesus was their leader and spokesman, and His decision was to continue to serve.

What mattered it if He were tired? Here were five thousand human beings for whom He came to earth to die and He was willing, yea glad, though weary, to give more of His strength for their succor. He was filled with compassion for them, the account states, because they were as sheep having no shepherd. (Mark 6:34) So He who was to be their Redeemer considered it a privilege also to be their shepherd, “and He began to teach them many things.”—Verse 34

At this point our lesson proper continues the narrative. The day was far spent—a day that didn’t turn out as the Master had planned, but a blessed day, nevertheless, because it had offered further golden opportunities of service. How much the disciples entered into the spirit of the occasion we may not know, but as the day drew to a close they approached the Master with the suggestion that the multitude be dismissed—sent out into the villages where they could obtain food. In their lack of faith they saw a situation developing which could turn out quite unpleasantly. To be the attraction which drew five thousand people away from their homes and into an isolated place where they could not be properly cared for, especially with night coming on, was, as they reasoned, no small cause for concern.

But Jesus, the compassionate One, was not willing that those whom He loved should be so summarily dismissed and sent away hungry. He had fed them with the words of life for their minds and hearts, and now He wanted to use His power still further to provide for their temporal needs. The disciples at once thought of the great expense involved in buying food for such a crowd, but Jesus simply wanted to know the extent of food already on hand. The amount seemed pitifully small—five loaves and two fishes.

But there turned out to be plenty. Another miracle was performed, so that under divine blessing this scanty supply increased as it was passed around to the multitude. It was a wonderfully meaningful miracle, because it illustrated the bounteous provisions of life to be made available for all mankind during the Messianic Kingdom period. The prophet had foretold that the Lord would make a “feast of fat things,” and in this miracle we are reminded of it and assured that divine power will suffice to do all that has been promised.—Isaiah 25:6

The second section of our lesson deals with another miracle of feeding. It is not another account of the same miracle. It is clear that on two occasions the Master used divine power to increase the scanty food supply to feed thousands. On one occasion five thousand were fed, and on the other, four thousand. Five loaves and two fishes constituted the stockpile of provisions in the first instance, and seven loaves and a few fishes in the second. Twelve baskets of fragments were gathered up after the feeding of the five thousand, but only seven following the miracle by which the four thousand were fed. Both miracles, however, have the same meaning for us today; namely, that Christ, as the world’s Redeemer and Life giver, is vested with the necessary power to accomplish the divine purpose of blessing toward the fallen and dying race.

The Golden Text reminds us that Christ is, indeed, the Bread of Life, more important by far than temporal food. But, as natural food supplies life temporarily, so Christ will give life everlastingly to all those who believe on Him and obey the laws and the spirit of His Kingdom. “Hallelujah, What a Savior!”

QUESTIONS:

Relate the circumstances leading up to the first miracle of today’s lesson.

What meaning does the feeding of the multitude have for us today?

In what manner is Jesus properly called the Bread of Life?

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