Jesus, the Saviour who cares

Sunday service, Erlo Stegen, 31 Jul 2016

Mark 8:1-9

1 During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”
4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”
5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied.
6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand; and he sent them away.

There are two separate instances recorded in the Bible where Jesus fed multitudes. We read of the feeding of 4000 and 5000.

Jesus was in a pagan land, in Galilee. He was teaching the truth to everyone, but the Jews felt that the pagans were off limits and that the Kingdom of God belonged only to the Jews.

But Jesus came as the Saviour of the world. To drive this truth home to the Jews He purposefully went to the Gentiles to work there. He also healed other Gentiles. As soon as He had done these miracles He began to preach to them the word of God. He told His disciples that He had compassion and mercy on them. In the Greek a strong word is used, that He felt for them to the depths of His Being. It’s no small thing that the Word of God spells out how Jesus felt in the strongest way possible.

Jesus preached a sermon of three days. We easily complain when the service is 2h long. It shows how hungry these people were. They weren’t worried that they were sitting there in a desolate place for three days. They were hungry for the Word of God. Before Jesus sent them away, He took note that they hadn’t eaten for three days. He realised that some might faint on the way. And He worked a marvellous miracle to feed them.

The first time Jesus did such a miracle the Bible records that there were 5000 men not even counting the women and chilled children (Matthew 14:13-21). In this case there were about 4000 men. These people will condemn us on the day of judgement if we complain while sitting under the Word of God.

There are numerous similarities between the two cases, for example (1) that He fed the multitudes with bread and fish and used the disciples to help Him. (2) In both instances the disciples doubted. (3) He first enquired from the disciples how many loaves of bread and pieces of fish they had. (4) He thanked God for the little they had and broke them in His hands and gave to the disciples to give to the people. (5) The crowds were completely satisfied and there was a lot left over.

Although there’s so much similarity there’s also a lot that’s different. (1) The number of men were 5000 and 4000 respectively. (2) In the first case there were 5 loaves and two fish, while in the second case seven loaves and two fish. (3) There were 12 small baskets full left over in the first case, while there were seven bigger baskets left over in the second case. These baskets were big enough that a person could get inside it, like the basket Paul was let down in to escape from those who wanted to kill him. (4) In the first miracle Jesus showed much interest in the spiritual needs of the people, while in our text He placed more emphasis on their physical needs. (5) In the first case they got the bread and fish from someone else while in this case the disciples had it with them.

The disciples were complaining that they didn’t have enough money to feed such vast crowds but Jesus told them to feed them. He then took the bread and fish the disciples had and multiplied it. He was also teaching the disciples that the gospel is for all. He shows that He cares for both our spiritual and physical needs.

Note that these people hadn’t eaten for 3 days and they were in a desolate place. Jesus knew that the crowds needed food and it wasn’t in their power to get their own. Jesus knew that they were hungry and if He sent them away some would have to travel far and might faint on the way. So too Jesus knows our needs both physical and spiritual. But let us realise then if we find ourselves in such a place of need to find our escape in God. Let us hide in the Lord. Think of the children of Israel when they were in the desert. When they cried to the Lord He heard them. David was in need too and cried to the Lord and was heard. There are numerous examples in the Bible.

Sometimes people meet with great pain and suffering. Such is the common experience here on earth. Just as we’ve read how deeply He was moved when He saw the needs of the people, we can come to God with our needs, for He cares. What is your concern for others in need?

The god of this world has filled the people of the world with wickedness and that’s why they steal and murder.

If you do not have the compassion of Christ in your heart then you’re pitiful and on your way to hell. Examine yourself if you care for others as the Saviour did. Five times we read of the compassion Jesus felt and it moved Him deeply. Do you see what the Spirit of Jesus is like?

God saw Hagar, the slave girl of Sarah, and had pity on them in the desert (Gen 21:17-18). When her son was thirsty God cared for him.

God cares for people in this world but you find people not caring for Him or other people. No one cared for Lazarus but God saw Him and cared for him.

Jesus cares for you too. He notices when you are suffering and cares for you. Even while you were an enemy of Him He sent His only Son to die for you. He was wounded for your sake. He knew you were headed for hell and so He sent His only Son to suffer in your place.

Jesus asked His disciples how many loaves they had and they answered seven. He wanted to hear from them what they had to give the multitude. Jesus wants to know from you what you have to help those in need. Jesus broke the bread from the little they had and made the disciples make the people sit in groups of 150.

Don’t just think of your particular race but of others in need too. Don’t just be concerned about your own interests. You have been helped by the Lord. Are you helping those who still need Him? Jesus died for them too. How can you claim to have Christ if you don’t have the Spirit of Christ?

In Ephesians we read that Jesus has exceeding power to do above what we can ask or think. Is it true in your life?

Eph 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

Is that the power that works within you? If not it’s time to repent and return to the Lord, that you would become a real Christian that His power might be at work in you.

Sermon audio in other languages:
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Music
KwaSizabantu choir: FAR FAR AWAY


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KwaSizabantu choir: DIR HERR WILL ICH DANKEN


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KwaSizabantu choir: UBANI ONGASAHLUKANISA


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