Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written and recorded by the apostle John. More specifically today’s passage is found in verses fifteen through fifty-nine of the sixth chapter. “When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him into the ship; and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went” (John 6:16-21). “The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereunto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberius nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the LORD had given thanks) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed” (John 6:22-27). “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? What dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, he gave them bread from heaven to eat. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not do to mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lost nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. And they said, is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? (John 6:28-42). “Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum” (John 6:43-59). When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will find the continuation of the events which took place in the sixth chapter. If there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand concerning this particular passage of Scripture it’s the intrinsic link between Jesus’ feeding of the multitude of people, the blessing and breaking of bread and the Passover. There would indeed be another time—a second time if you will—when Jesus would bless and break bread and distribute it at the time of the Passover. Each of the four New Testament gospel narratives bring us face to face with the tremendous truth of what has commonly been known as “The Last Supper”—that night in which the Lord Jesus would lead His disciples into the garden where He would fall down before the Father in agony of soul in prayer concerning what was about to take place within His life. Each of the four New Testament gospels present us with the account of the evening in which the Lord Jesus would indeed be betrayed by one of His own who would lead a small insurgent of guards and those armed with swords and staves into the garden where Jesus had brought His disciples and where He had fallen down in prayer before His Father who was in heaven. If you read each of the four New Testament gospels you will encounter a second time when Jesus would bless bread and break it and give it unto others with the notable exception that on this particular night the Lord Jesus would emphatically declare that the bread which He was giving unto them was representative of His body which would also be broken and given unto others. It would be there at the Last Supper where the Lord Jesus would not only bless bread and break it and give it unto the disciples as a representation of His body which would be broken but He would also take the cup which represented and symbolized His blood and would give it unto the disciples. It would be this cup which He would not drink again until He drank it anew with them in the kingdom of His Father. If we seek to read the account of Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand which is mentioned in the sixth chapter we must needs recognize that this is the fourth account of this feeding of the five thousand which is mentioned in each of the gospel accounts. Perhaps one of the greatest truths that is found at the very heart and center of this particular account is that it is one of the only miracles which Jesus performed that is recounted in each of the four gospels. There are very few miracles which are actually recorded by each of the gospel authors and this feeding of the five thousand is indeed one of those which each of the gospel authors sought to convey within their account of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this particular fact for there is something which the apostle John does when rendering his account of the feeding of the five thousand which none of the other gospel authors do. It is indeed true that the apostle Matthew, the physician Luke and John Mark each record the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, however, it is only the apostle John who recounts and records the feeding of the five thousand and then how that particular miracle would be used by Jesus to further illustrate and demonstrate Himself as the bread of life which came down from heaven. It would be here in the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John we find and encounter the tremendous and powerful truth of the feeding of the five thousand—and not only the feeding of the five thousand but also how it would be this feeding that would provoke the Jews in Galilee during those days and would eventually cause many of His disciples to turn back and walk no more with Christ. As I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture I find myself coming face to face with the incredibly awesome and powerful reality of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and how each of the gospel authors found it necessary and were led by the Holy Spirit to present it within their gospel account. One thing we must needs recognize and understand is that it was the Holy Spirit who inspired each of the four gospel authors to include this particular miracle within their gospel narrative and account. We dare not and must not think for one minute that it was the inspiration and idea of man alone to include this miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and we dare not think that it was by coincidence that this particular miracle was indeed included in each of the four gospels as one of the only miracles to be done so. For some reason there is an underlying reason and purpose for this miracle to be included in each of the four gospel accounts for there was indeed something which needed to be taught and demonstrated before and unto the disciples through the miracle of feeding of the five thousand. Oh I am convinced that there is not only an intrinsic link between the feeding of the five thousand at the time of the Passover and Jesus’ partaking in the Last Supper together with His disciples and the blessing and breaking of bread and giving it unto them. Moreover I am absolutely convinced that there is a wonderful and powerful link which exists and is found between Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand as well as Jesus’ feeding of the four thousand which would be recorded by the apostle Matthew and John Mark alone. It would be these two authors who would be the only authors to record both miracles within their gospel accounts for only Luke and John would record the account of the feeding of the five thousand alone. In addition to this I am absolutely convinced there is a great link which exists between the feeding of the five thousand and the words which Jesus would teach and speak unto the disciples concerning the leaven of the Pharisees and that which they were to avoid. It is with all of this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in each of the four New Testament gospels concerning the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand for each of the gospel authors sought to present the account of this incredible and mighty miracle of the Lord Jesus Christ as He would feed five thousand men not including women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish. Consider if you will the following words which are found in these passages of Scripture beginning with the fourteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew: “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said< Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about give thousand men, beside women and children” (Matthew 14:13-21). “And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. HE answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves heaven ye? Go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to st. Before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men” (Mark 6:32-44). “And the apostles, when they were returned, told him all that they had done. And he took them, and went aside privately into a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said u not him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place. But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy meat for all this people. For they were about give thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company. And they did so, and make them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken of the fragments that remained to them twelve baskets” (Luke 9:10-17). “After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberius. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. 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” And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so m any? And Jesus aid, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world” (John 6:1-14). Each of these four accounts which are found in the gospel narratives written concerning the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ present us with the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fishes. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the apostles Matthew and John, the beloved physician Luke and John Mark included in their gospel narrative the account of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand which would not only take place in Galilee, would not only take place in a desert place but would also take place in Bethsaida. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that this was one of the only miracles which each of the four gospel authors sought to present within their gospel outside of the miracle of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the grave. It is with this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which are found in the New Testament gospel narratives written by the apostle Matthew and John Mark for these were the only two gospel authors who included in their gospel account the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand. It was indeed true that all four gospel authors included in their gospel account the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, however, it was only Matthew and Mark who included in their gospel the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. Oh I am absolutely and completely convinced that if you wish to understand the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand you must also consider the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand which would indeed take place during those three and a half years in which Jesus walked upon the face of the earth. Consider if you will the following words which are found in these two gospels beginning with the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle Matthew: “Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus with unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala” (Matthew 15:32-39). “IN those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now. Been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from afar. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them: and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away” (Mark 8:1-9). These two passages found in the gospel narratives written by the apostle Matthew and John mark were the only narratives which include Jesus’ miracle of the feeding of the four thousand. Neither the beloved physician Luke nor the apostle John include this miracle in their own gospel account—despite the fact that they would indeed include the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. It would be the apostle Matthew and John Mark who would include this second miracle of the feeding of a multitude within their gospel narrative thus demonstrating Jesus’ ability to feed the multitudes and crowds at will. Oh if there is one thing we must needs recognize and understand when reading each of these passages it’s that not only can Jesus feed the multitudes in the wilderness but Jesus can also feed them with very little, Jesus can feed them without spending money and Jesus can feed them at will. The more you read the words found in these passages of Scripture the more you can and will encounter the tremendous truth that Jesus can indeed feed the multitude and crowds with what might seem like so little and so few in the eyes and sight of man. In the case of the feeding of the five thousand Jesus had five loaves of bread and two fish to work with while in the case of the feeding of the four thousand Jesus would two more loaves of bread and what might have been at least one more fish and was able to feed both multitudes and crowds on each occasion. What’s more is that when you read these gospel narratives you will find the subject of cost and price coming up in the exchange between Jesus and His disciples as they would think and assume that a great sum of money would be needed to buy bread and victuals for all those who had gathered themselves unto the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples themselves thought that a great sum of money would need to be obtained and then used to purchase meat, bread and the like to feed the multitude in the wilderness. The truth of the matter, however, is that Jesus would be able to feed the multitude(s) without any money and without needing to buy or purchase any meat, fish, bread and the like. In all reality it is this concept of Jesus being able to feed the multitudes without cost and without money that reminds me of the words which are found in the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah. It was the Old Testament prophet Isaiah who would indeed prophesy the word of the Lord unto the southern kingdom of Judah and would declare unto them that all who who were thirsty could indeed come unto the living and eternal God and could buy for themselves that which they needed without money and without cost. In all reality I would dare say the words which the prophet Isaiah prophesied in the Old Testament prophetic book which bore his name would indeed be a powerful catalyst and foundation for the miracles of the feeding of the five thousand and of the feeding of the four thousand. When you read the four gospel narratives you will find and encounter the tremendous truth surrounding these miracles of feeding the multitudes and how Jesus would and could feed the multitudes and crowds without money, without cost and without buying anything in town. There in the midst of the wilderness Jesus was able to feed the multitudes and crowds without money and without cost and was able to satisfy their hunger as such. Oh stop and consider how absolutely incredible this truly is for each of the gospel authors seem to link the idea that money was indeed needed to feed the multitude for it would take and require money to feed them there in the wilderness. That which Jesus would demonstrate, however, was that it would not take nor would it require money nor buying meat, and bread and the like to feed the multitude in the wilderness. If there is one thing Jesus demonstrated there in the wilderness and desert place(s) it’s that he was indeed able to feed the multitude and satisfy their hunger without cost and even without taking up an offering. The only offering Jesus would even need on these particular occasions was a young lad’s lunch of five loaves of bread and two fish and another individual’s seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the Old Testament prophetic book of Isaiah concerning all those who are thirsty and their being able to come unto the living and eternal God: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; Yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me: Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. Behold I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. Behold, thous shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy one of Israel; for he hath glorified thee” (Isaiah 55:1-5). “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found. Call ye upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteousness man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall p roster in the thing where to I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off” (Isaiah 55:6-13). Oh please don’t miss and lose sight of the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous and wonderful truth which was proclaimed by the mouth of the prophet Isaiah according to the word of the Lord. There is not a doubt in my mind that the words which we find here in this passage of Scripture do in fact call and draw our attention to the incredible truth surrounding Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand as well as the feeding of the four thousand. Within each of these miracles we encounter and are brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the reality that when Jesus fed each of these two multitudes and crowds there in the midst of the wilderness He would do so without needing any money. When Jesus fed the five thousand and when He would feed the four thousand He would do so without needing to buy any meat, any fish, any bread, nor any wine or anything else that might have been needed to feed them. Jesus would indeed teach them many things and would heal them as He was moved with compassion upon them for He saw them as sheep which did not have a shepherd. Moreover Jesus was not willing to send them away fasting for if He sent them away fasting many of them would faint in the way because they traveled and came from divers distance. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful and incredible reality of the Lord Jesus causing the crowds and multitude to sit down in the grass which was present in those places for there was much grass. Jesus would indeed cause these people to sit down in green grass—a powerful reminded of the words which the psalmist David wrote concerning the LORD as the shepherd making him to lie down in green pastures. Jesus would not cause the crowds and multitude to lie down in green pastures, however, He would cause them to sit down in the green grass there in those places. It would be there in those desert places where the Lord Jesus would have them sit down in companies of fifties and hundreds as He would prepare to feed them. I am absolutely and incredibly gripped and captivated with and by the words found in these passages of Scripture for Jesus’ compassion would not only not allow the crowds to depart fasting lest they faint along the way but it would also be His compassion that would move Him to feed them and give them to eat. The Lord Jesus would indeed deliberately and intentionally choose to feed these two great multitudes which came unto Him which combined numbered just one thousand shy of ten thousand. Oh I can’t help but wonder if you include the women and children if Jesus did in fact feed ten thousand or more people on these particular occasions. Is it possible that Jesus did in fact feed more than ten thousand men, women and children combined in the wilderness and give them bread to eat much like Moses would give the children of Israel bread in the wilderness? Oh we must needs recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found within these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the awesome truth that the Lord Jesus would and could feed the multitudes of people at will whenever He wanted, however He wanted and using whatever He wanted. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something to be said about Jesus who can feed the multitude(s) at will and even at random without it initially being at the forefront of what He was doing. It is in these gospels where we find Jesus initially teaching the crowds and the multitude and healing them and yet it would transition to a place of physical and natural need as they would in turn be hungry and would need food—not only because of their hunger but also that they might have the strength to return unto their houses. I sit here today thinking about each of these miracles which Jesus performed in the desert and wilderness places and I am brought face to face with the wonderful and beautiful truth surrounding His being moved to compassion for and upon these people in those places. It would be the compassion of the Lord Jesus who would indeed be moved with compassion and would do more than simply heal their physical bodies and their infirmities and teach them but he would also feed and satisfy their hunger. OH this actually brings me to something which is more often than not missed when reading these accounts of Jesus’ feeding of the multitudes and that is how it would and could have been possible for Jesus to heal them of their infirmities and yet send them on their way and cause them to depart fasting within themselves. Stop and think about the fact that Jesus could have indeed healed their infirmities and those diseases which they had come unto Him with and then sent them away without recognizing the hunger that was present within their physical bodies. Oh this is something we must needs pay close attention to for how many times are men and women among us sent away hungry within their physical bodies—and perhaps not only within their physical bodies but also within their souls and spirits—and yet they are sent away fasting without having their needs actually met? What these gospel accounts reveal and demonstrate is that Jesus wasn’t willing to send the crowds and multitudes away fasting for many of them had traveled from divers places and from far places and would indeed faint along the way. There is something truly wonderful and powerful about the words and language we find in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the fact that Jesus was willing to do more than simply heal their physical bodies and was willing to do more than simply teach them for He was also willing to feed them—and not only feed them but also feed them to the full. The more I read the words which are found in these particular passages of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the intrinsic link and connection which they have to the words which Jesus would speak unto His disciples concerning their being aware and caution of the leaven of the Pharisees. Jesus would indeed speak unto His disciples and would caution and warn them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which would indeed by hypocrisy. Initially the disciples did not and could not understand that which the Lord Jesus had spoken unto them and it wouldn’t be until Jesus corrected their thinking and reminded them of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand as well as the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand that they would recognize and understand that He spoke not unto them concerning physical and natural bread and leaven but something entirely and altogether different. It would be when and after Jesus corrected their thinking and reminded them of the miracles of the feeding of the five thousand and of the four thousand they would comprehend the meaning behind His words which indeed spoke of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. This is something we must needs recognize and understand when seeking to truly comprehend the words which are found in the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John for directly linked to the feeding of the five thousand (as well as the feeding of the four thousand) directly points to a wonderful and powerful warning which was given to guard ourselves against the spiritual leaven of the Pharisees which was hypocrisy. Jesus reminded the disciples of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand as well as the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand to let them know that He could indeed provide them with bread at any time just as He had already done and just as His Father had done for their fathers in the wilderness. Oh with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the New Testament gospel narratives written by the apostle Matthew and John Mark concerning Jesus’ warning unto the disciples concerning guarding themselves against the leaven of the Pharisees: “And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus saiid unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:5-12). “Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? Perceive ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear. Y not? And do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, how is it that that ye do not understand?” (Mark 8;14-21). Oh there is a great need for us to recognize and understand these two particular narratives and accounts which are found in the gospels written by the apostle Matthew and John Mark for they both call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful and incredible truth surrounding Jesus’ ability to feed us with bread in the wilderness and desert places. Jesus would speak unto the disciples and would warn and caution them to guard themselves and to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, of the Sadducees and even of Herod and that which He spoke to them of was the leaven of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. What’s more is that within each of these passages of Scripture you will find the gospel authors deliberately and intentionally writing how the disciples forgot to take bread with them, how they did not have bread in the ship and how when they arrived to where they were going they were themselves without bread. When Jesus spoke unto them concerning being caution and on guard against the leaven of the Pharisees they reasoned among themselves that he was speaking unto them concerning their having no bread. It would be in response to this Jesus would seek to teach them that He spoke not unto them concerning physical and natural bread for it mattered not that they had forgotten bread. What we must needs recognize and understand is that they had done more than simply forgotten bread for in all reality they more than likely forgot the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish. Not only this but they had seemingly forgotten the feeding of the four thousand with seven loaves of bread and the two fish. In addition to this you will find the Lord Jesus reminding them—not only of the feeding of the five thousand and the feeding of the four thousand but also of the baskets of the fragments which were gathered up after the multitude had eaten and were both filled and satisfied. There is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words which are found within these passages for they call and draw our attention—not only to the feeding of the multitude to the full but also of the baskets of the fragments which were left over. If there is one thing I can’t help but find myself thinking about when reading the accounts of the feeding of the four thousand as well as the feeding of the five thousand it’s the concept of the baskets of the fragments which were left over. Scripture doesn’t reveal how big those baskets were—only that in the case of the feeding of the five thousand there were twelve baskets full of the fragments which were left over from the miracle which Jesus had wrought among them. In the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand Jesus would indeed feed the multitude using and from five loaves of bread and two fish—and not only would He feed them with five loaves of bread and two fish but there would be twelve baskets full of the fragments which were left over after the miracle was finished and completed. Oh what we must needs recognize and understand is that Jesus didn’t merely feed five thousand and feed them to the full but He also filled two baskets with the fragments of what was left over and remained after. Jesus didn’t merely feed the four thousand to the full but He also filled seven baskets full even after all those which were present on this occasion were filled from the bread and the fish. Oh how absolutely incredible this truly is when you take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to the truly wonderful and powerful truth surrounding the actual feeding of the multitudes as well as the baskets. Oh we more often than not forget that these miracles weren’t merely about the feeding of those which were present but there were also baskets of the fragments which were left over. Oh if there is one thing I can’t help but wonder when reading these passages of Scripture it’s what happened to and with the twelve baskets which were filled with the fragments after the five thousand had eaten and were both filled and satisfied. What happened to the twelve baskets which were filled and left over after the whole multitude had eaten and been filled to the full? What happened to the seven baskets which were filled with the fragments after the four thousand were fed and fed to the full? Where did the baskets go and who actually took up those baskets with them for it is quite clear the disciples themselves did not take the baskets themselves. Before I transition to the Passover meal which the Lord Jesus would celebrate together with His disciples I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the absolutely tremendous and incredible truth surrounding that which was left over from the miracle. There are those who like to focus all the attention simply and solely on the multitudes and crowds within each of these accounts and how Jesus fed them to the full from the loaves of bread and fish before sending them on their way. The truth of the matter, however, is that Jesus did more than simply feed the multitude and crowd for there would also be nearly twenty baskets that would be filled with the leftovers of the fragments which were given unto the multitude and the crowd. If you read each of these narratives you will find that there were twelve baskets filled with the left over fragments after the five thousand had been filled to full while in the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand there would be seven baskets full with the fragments which were left over. Oh I have to admit that I can’t help but wonder what happened to and with those nearly twenty baskets which were filled with the fragments of the miracle. I would dare say that Jesus did more than simply feed the five thousand and Jesus did more than feed the four thousand for Jesus would also feed those who were perhaps not present in the wilderness and in the desert place. I would dare say and suggest that these baskets which were filled with the fragments were taken by those who were present and were perhaps even used to feed others. Oh imagine having just witnessed a miracle which was performed by the Lord Jesus Christ, being fed and satisfied by Him in the wilderness and then bringing the manifestation of that miracle unto others. Jesus would take the bread and would bless and break it before giving it unto the disciples to give it to the multitude and the crowd and yet I can’t help but wonder if there was a second giving and distributing which was made from the baskets. Is it possible that these twelve baskets were indeed used to make distribution unto those who perhaps weren’t present at the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand? Is it possible that the seven baskets which were filled with the fragments of the miracle of the feeding of the four thousand were used to make distribution unto those who weren’t present there in that place? DO NOT FORGET THE BASKETS! It would be incredibly easy to focus solely on the feeding of those who were present on each of these occasions and yet I would dare say that we must also remember the baskets. If the baskets were not important I would dare say none of the gospel authors would have included it in their gospel narrative and account(s) of Jesus’ miracle(s). We would like to devote our time and attention on how Jesus fed the five thousand with and from five loaves of bread and two fish and we would like to spend our time focusing on how Jesus fed the four thousand with seven loaves and a few fish and completely forget that there were baskets filled with the fragments which were left over. There is something incredibly unique and powerful about the baskets which were filled with the fragments of that which was used to feed the multitude and crowds. In all reality I would dare say that the fragments which were taken up after might have been that which was left in the midst of each of the companies after they had all eaten and had been fed to the full. Oh the simple fact that there were nearly twenty baskets filled with the fragments of the loaves and fish suggest that Jesus didn’t merely bless and break enough to feed the multitude which was before Him but he also blessed and broke enough to feed those who would partake of the baskets. I would dare say that Jesus knew exactly what He was doing and know that not only would the crowd and multitude be satisfied and filled but so also would there be leftovers which be used to fill baskets with the fragments of what was left behind. I am absolutely convinced Jesus knew and recognized there would be baskets which would indeed be filled with the fragments which were left over and remained after the multitude and crowd had indeed been filled to the full. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth of the baskets which were filled after the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand and after the feeding of the four thousand. I sit here today thinking about and considering these two miracles and I am brought face to face with the awesome and incredible truth surrounding the baskets which were not only themselves filled but were filled with that which was leftover after the crowd and the multitude had already eaten and been filled. Oh how absolutely wonderful and powerful and incredible it is to think about and consider these baskets which were filled with the fragments which were leftover after the initial miracle of feeding took place. What we must needs recognize and understand is that these baskets would indeed be a separate extension of the miracle which had taken place as while Scripture describes how Jesus fed five thousand four thousand I would dare say that Jesus quite possibly fed more than that. I would dare say that there were those who weren’t present in the wilderness and in the desert place when Jesus fed the multitude and crowd and yet who were still able to participate in the miracle. In fact I am convinced this directly links and points us to the Passover meal which Jesus would celebrate together with His disciples. There is a great need for us to recognize and pay attention to the words which are found in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the extension of the miracle and how there would have indeed been those after the miracle was completed who were still able to partake and in essence participate in the miracle which Jesus had performed there in the midst of the desert place. Oh how absolutely incredible it is to read the words which are found in this passage and consider how there is a powerful truth and lesson that is found in the baskets which were filled with the fragments which were filled with the leftovers. Oh it’s important to recognize and understand that Jesus didn’t merely fill the five thousand which were present at one time nor did Jesus merely feed the four thousand which were presents at another time. Jesus did more than simply fill earthly stomachs with the loaves of bread and of the fish for Jesus would also fill nearly twenty baskets full of the fragments which were left over. How absolutely incredible it is to think about the fact that even after the multitude and crowds were filled to the full and satisfied there were still remnants of the miracle. REMNANTS OF THE MIRACLE! REMNANTS OF THE MIRACLE! I am absolutely gripped and captivated with the truth contained in these passages of Scripture for while there would indeed be with word and witness of those who had been fed and fed to the full by the Lord Jesus from the loaves of bread and of the fish there would also be the witness of the baskets which were filled with the fragments. THE WITNESS OF FILLED BELLIES! THE WITNESS OF FILLED BASKETS! Oh on these two instances and occasions Jesus didn’t merely feed and fill physical and natural bellies but Jesus would also fill physical and natural baskets. There would indeed be the word of mouth, the witness and the testimony of those who had partaken of the loaves of bread and the two fish but there would also be the witness that was found and contained within the baskets as well. Oh there is something which must be carefully considered when reading the words found in these passages of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding these baskets and how the baskets themselves would be a continued extension of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand the feeding of the four thousand. These baskets would indeed be carried by those who had partaken of the miracle of the feeding of the multitude and these baskets would serve as an additional witness and testimony of what had taken place. Oh it wasn’t enough for these men , women and children to be fed and fed to the full by the Lord Jesus in these wilderness and desert place but there was also the need for baskets to be filled with the fragments which were left over. It would be these baskets which would not only serve as a witness of the miracle which had taken place but would also be used to feed others who were perhaps not present there in the wilderness and in the desert place. These baskets would indeed serve as a testimony of the miracle which the Lord Jesus had performed in the midst of the crowd and the multitude, however, those baskets would serve as a witness of what had already taken place as well as an extension of it that others might also partake of the same miracle which others who were present had indeed participated in. OH it is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following accounts of the Passover meal which the Lord Jesus would indeed celebrate together with His disciples which each of the four gospel authors wrote about in their accounts. Consider if you will the following accounts of this sacred meal and fellowship which Jesus would partake of and participate in together with His twelve disciples there in the upper room: “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:26-29). “And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:22-25). “And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: This do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the New Testament of my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:14-20). The apostle John doesn’t record the Passover meal which Jesus would celebrate together with His disciples so we don’t read of His taking the bread and blessing and breaking it before giving it to His disciples nor do we read of His taking the cup and giving it unto the disciples that they might drink of the fruit of the vine. With this being said we must needs recognize and understand that while the apostle John does not write of the Passover meal in terms of the cup and the bread He does write of it in terms of the language and exchange that would be experienced between Jesus and His disciples. With this being said I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the following words which are found in the eleventh chapter of the first epistle written by the apostle Paul unto the Corinthian saints. It is here in this particular passage where we find the apostle Paul—by revelation from the Lord concerning the Last Supper which Jesus had celebrated together with His disciples. In order to truly understand the words and language we find in the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostles Paul there is a great need to consider these words which are present in this passage of Scripture for the apostle Paul helps us to truly understand that which took place that night in the upper room at the time of the Passover between Jesus and His disciples. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in this particular passage as we continue to consider—not only the participation of the Passover meal on this particular night but also the feeding of the five thousand and the words which the Lord Jesus Christ would speak and declare unto the Jews there in Galilee when and after He had fed them with the five loaves of bread and two fish: “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which I also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood: this do ye as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come” (1 Corinthians 11:17-34). It is absolutely necessary that we recognize the significance and importance of what took place on the night in which Jesus was betrayed and suffered for it would be on this night when He would partake of the Passover meal together with His disciples. There in the upper room which was furnished He would partake both of the bread which was blessed and broken as well as the cup which was shared between Jesus and the disciples. On this particular night the Lord Jesus would equate the bread which was blessed and broken to His physical body which would on the very next day be broken by the hands of religious leaders and sinners alike. It would be on the very next day when the very body and flesh of the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be blessed and broken by the eternal and living God and would be given unto humanity for the remission of sins. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the blessing and breaking of bread—not only during the Last Supper which the Lord Jesus celebrated and partook of together with the disciples but also the blessing and breaking of the bread which would take place earlier on during His public ministry. In fact if you read and study the four gospel narratives you will find that there were in fact four different and distinct times when the Lord Jesus would bless and break bread beginning with the feeding of the five thousand. It would be the feeding of the five thousand where we find the first account of the blessing and breaking of the bread while it would be the feeding of the four thousand we find the blessing and breaking of bread the second time. With this being said we must recognize and remember that it would be at the last Supper when the bread would be blessed and broken a third time as the Lord Jesus would further equate the blessed and broken bread with His physical body. The fourth and final time the bread would be blessed and broken would be in the house in Emmaus after Jesus walked together with Cleopas and that one who walked together with him. It would be there in that house where Jesus would bless and break the bread and give it unto them and where their eyes would be opened and they would recognize that it was Jesus. Moreover when these two men returned unto the city of Jerusalem they would declare unto the disciples how Jesus had made Himself known unto them in the breaking of bread. When you come to the sixth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John you will find the fourth account of the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand within the four gospels. It is here in this passage of Scripture where we find Jesus giving thanks for the loaves and fish and then giving it to the disciples that they might in turn give it to the multitude. After it was all said and done—not only was the whole multitude and crowd fed to the full but there were twelve baskets full of the fragments which were leftover. The apostle John records one very important detail which the other gospels don’t—namely that when those men who witnessed the miracle which Jesus did saw it for themselves and ate of the bread they would acknowledge within their hearts and perhaps even speak among themselves that this was that prophet which should come into the world. This is something which must needs be carefully considered for what we find within this passage of Scfripture is not only five thousand being filled with the bread and the loaves, not only do we find twelve baskets filled with the fragments of the loaves and fish, and not only do we read of the men who were fed professing that Jesus was the prophet which was to come into the world but by the time the chapter concludes we find that this number which was at least five thousand might have dwindled down to only the twelve disciples. Scripture is entirely unclear how many turned and walked away and chose no longer to walk with Jesus on this particular day, however, suffice it to say there would have been a great many who would have done so. Scripture makes it very clear that although Jesus had fed the multitude and crowd with the loaves of bread and the fish and although there would be many who would acknowledge that this was the prophet which was to come into the world there would be many who would be offended with His words. Despite the fact that they would indeed partake of the loaves of bread and the fish they would be offended with and by the words which the Lord Jesus would speak thus suggesting that it’s possible to enjoy the miracle(s) of the Lord Jesus and yet be angered and even offended with and by the words which He speaks. This passage clearly demonstrates that it is possible to partake of and participate in the miracle of the living God within your life and yet not only be angered and offended because of what He says but also turn back and walk no more with Him. As you read the words presented in this passage of Scripture you will find that there were at least five thousand men who partook of the loaves of bread and of the fish and were filled and satisfied. What makes this truly captivating and challenging when you take the time to read it is how although there were so many who partook of the loaves of bread and of the fish and were filled there were a large number of them who turned back and walked no more with Jesus. The underlying reason and purpose for their turning back and walking no more with Him was because of the words which He had spoken. It was indeed true they had been fed in their physical and natural bodies, however, when it came to Jesus’ feeding their spiritual hunger and offering them everlasting life as the bread of life which came down from heaven they could not grasp nor comprehend. It. The crowd which partook of the five loaves of bread and of the fish sought after and pursued the Lord Jesus after He had departed to which the Lord Jesus declared unto them that they sought Him—not because they saw the miracles but because they did eat of the loaves and were filled. The miracles which Jesus mattered not to them and it wasn’t the reason why they sought after and pursued the Lord Jesus which is something the apostle John writes and recounts in this particular passage of Scripture. All those who came and sought after the person of the Lord Jesus on this particular occasion did so because they partook of the loaves of bread and of the fish and yet despite being fed to the full they would be offended with the words which Jesus spoke. Jesus would offered them Himself beyond simply the physical and natural bread and they would despise and reject it because it was a hard saying for them to accept. Here they had not only witnessed the miracles of Jesus and had not only partaken of the loaves of bread but now Jesus was offering them Himself and they despised and rejected it. What’s more is I would dare say that when Jesus blessed and broke the bread and gave it to the multitude He offered and gave them more than simply physical bread but gave them of Himself. There is not a doubt in my mind that on this particular occasion the Lord Jesus would indeed give of Himself through the breaking and distributing of the bread much like He revealed Himself unto the two men in the house there in Emmaus through the breaking of bread. In bringing this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words which Jesus spoke unto the multitude here on this particular occasion for He would declare unto them that the work of God was to believe on Him whom He had sent. Jesus would go on to declare that Moses gave them not that bread from heaven but His father gives them the true bread from heaven. Jesus would follow this up by declaring the bread of God is He which came down from heaven and gave life unto the world. Where it started becoming difficult to for them on this particular occasion was when Jesu started declaring unto them that He was the bread of life and that those who came to Him would never hunger and those who believed on Him would never thirst. Jesus would go on to declare that He came down from heaven not to do His own will but the will of Him that sent Him. The will of the Father which sent Him was that all which were given unto Him should not be lost but should be raised up on the last day. Moreover the will of the One who sentHim is that every one which sees the Son and believed on Him might have everlasting life and would be raised up at the last day. The question we must needs ask ourselves is whether or not we have believed and have received the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in the opening chapter of this gospel where we find that as many as received Him it was those who were given power to become the sons of God. Although the language in this gospel is indeed about the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father and believing on Him we must also recognize that directly linked to the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God was the creation of many more sons of God. Those who would indeed become sons of the living God were those who believed on His name and received Him for they were given power to become sons of God. We must needs recognize and understand this within our own hearts and lives for we have indeed been called to be those who believe on and have received the person of Jesus as the Christ and the Son of the living God. In fact this is why the profession and confession of Simon called Peter at the end of this passage was so important for he had both believed and received the Lord Jesus as the Christ and the Son of the living God. We as the disciples of Jesus and the people of God must needs be those who not only believe on but also receive the person of Jesus as the eternal and only begotten Son of the living God and as the Christ and Messiah.