The Provision is Too Small

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The Problem is Too Big

• The Provision is Too Small

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Picture the Scene Matthew 1413-21

• Traditional site for feeding of 5,000

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Just up the Road

• McDonalds Near the Sea of Galilee

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Matthew 1413-14John 63

• Matthew 1413--When Jesus heard what had
  happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a
  solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds
  followed him on foot from the towns.
• John 63 records Then Jesus went up on a
  mountainside and sat down with his disciples.
• Matthew 1414--When Jesus landed and saw a large
  crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their
  sick.

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John 65-9

• 5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd
  coming towards him, he said to Philip, Where
  shall we buy bread for these people to eat?
  6 He asked this only to test him, for he already
  had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip
  answered him, Eight months wages would not buy
  enough bread for each one to have a bite!
  8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon
  Peters brother, spoke up, 9 Here is a boy
  with five small barley loaves and two small fish,
  but how far will they go among so many?

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Matthew 1415-17

• 15 As evening approached, the disciples came
  to him and said, This is a remote place, and
  it's already getting late. Send the crowds away,
  so that they can go to the villages and buy
  themselves some food.
• 16 Jesus replied, They do not need to go
  away. You give them something to eat.
  17 We have here only five
  loaves of bread and two fish, they answered.

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The Problem is Too Big

• The Provision is Too Small

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The Key - John 69

• Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and
  two small fish...
• Principle of provision Gave the little he had
  to Jesus

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What were the results because of the boys gift?

• First, all are satisfied.
  Matt. 1420a--They all
  ate and were satisfied
• Second, there was a surplus after the
  distribution. Matt. 1420b--and the disciples
  picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that
  were left over.
• Third, Jesus was recognized as a sovereign.
  John 614-15--...they intended to come
  and make him king by force

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A Current Application of the Story First,
insight into the affluent, needy heart of a
modern Christian

• Initial response - offer excuses
• The conditions too difficult ...its a remote
  place...
• Its too late Its getting late...
• Its not enough ...only five loaves and two
  fish
• Its going to cost too much Eight months
  wages would not buy enough bread for each
  one to have a bite.
• They can and will have to take care of
  themselves Send the crowds away, so they
  can go...buy themselves some food.

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A Current Application of the Story Second,
insight into the process of meeting needs in our
life/world

• Notice the Process and Sequence
• First, the collection of sacrificial gifts--vv.
  17-18.
• Second, observe the wise distribution and
  management of those gifts--Mark 639-44.
• Third, care is given in the conservation of the
  gifts/food and also in the collection of
  leftovers--v. 20.
• Fourth, significant spiritual ministry
  accompanied the distribution of food--Matt 1414
  II Cor. 98,11b-15.

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What are the steps?
What is the application
of this amazing miracle?

• He calls for help/offers help.
  Where shall I find
  bread that these may eat?
• He takes.
  ...Taking the
  five loaves and the two fish
• He gives thanks/blesses us.
  ...looking up to
  heaven, he gave thanks
• He breaks us.
  ...broke the
  loaves The world is
  only fed with broken bread.
• He gives US. ...he gave them to the
  disciples...the disciples gave them to the
  people.

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Who has gone through this Process?

• Luke 2219
  And he took bread, gave thanks and broke
  it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body
  given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.