Wednesday Devo
Scripture Reading:
Luke 9
13 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” 14 For there were about 5,000 men there.
Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 So the people all sat down. 16 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. 17 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!
13 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”
“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” 14 For there were about 5,000 men there.
Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 So the people all sat down. 16 Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. 17 They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!
Commentary from the ESV Study Bible:
The men numbered about five thousand, plus women and children (cf. Matt. 14:21), totaling perhaps as many as 20,000 people.
Jesus depends on his heavenly Father in this miracle of multiplying food. As the true shepherd, he satisfies them. As God provided manna in the desert (cf. Deut. 8:3, 16), so Jesus provides food in a deserted place (Mark 6:35). The focus is thus not on the miracle itself but on the one who worked it. Jesus is not merely a prophet; he acts as God acts. The feeding of the 5,000 reinforces Jesus’ proclamation: after feeding them the Word of God (v. 34), they now miraculously receive bread and fish (basic foods; see Luke 24:42; John 21:9). Once again the question of Jesus’ true identity is raised; and once again (on account of their hard-heartedness), the disciples do not understand (see Mark 6:52; 8:18–21).
9:15 And they did so. As in 5:5, the disciples’ obedience precedes understanding.
9:16 looked up to heaven. With the exception of “looked up,” a praying gesture, all of these actions (taking, said a blessing, broke, gave) are found in the accounts of the Last Supper (Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; cf. also 1 Cor. 11:23–24).
Jesus depends on his heavenly Father in this miracle of multiplying food. As the true shepherd, he satisfies them. As God provided manna in the desert (cf. Deut. 8:3, 16), so Jesus provides food in a deserted place (Mark 6:35). The focus is thus not on the miracle itself but on the one who worked it. Jesus is not merely a prophet; he acts as God acts. The feeding of the 5,000 reinforces Jesus’ proclamation: after feeding them the Word of God (v. 34), they now miraculously receive bread and fish (basic foods; see Luke 24:42; John 21:9). Once again the question of Jesus’ true identity is raised; and once again (on account of their hard-heartedness), the disciples do not understand (see Mark 6:52; 8:18–21).
9:15 And they did so. As in 5:5, the disciples’ obedience precedes understanding.
9:16 looked up to heaven. With the exception of “looked up,” a praying gesture, all of these actions (taking, said a blessing, broke, gave) are found in the accounts of the Last Supper (Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; cf. also 1 Cor. 11:23–24).
Study Questions:
- The next challenge was for the disciples of Jesus... Learn to trust! This miracle of feeding the 5,000 was the only one in which Jesus DID the miracle, but it was the disciples who actually carried it out. They were the ones to deliver the bread and fish. Think about the logistics of taking food, one basket at a time, to 20,000 people. That took some time. Jesus gave to a disciple, who then took it and gave to the people. One trip at a time. Imagine that first trip back to Jesus, just hoping and praying that there was food left. No one wants to tick off 20,000 hungry people! Think about what it took to trust Jesus in those moments. How difficult would it be to choose to be obedient when you don't know what the outcome is going to be. When is the last time you exercised faith in this way?
- They must have been filled with uncertainty, but trip by trip their faith grew. That's what it's like to learn to walk in faith with Jesus. You muster up what little faith you have, then you come back to him with your empty hands and he gives you more. Little by little your faith grows as you learn to trust in him. Recall a time when God used a situation in your life to grow your faith muscle. What do you think is keeping you from having BIG faith in your life today?
Pray:
- That you would walk in faith today
- That you would find opportunities to grow your faith muscle.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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