| What? Who did this Man think He
was? He claims He can even heal. And what right had He to tell
anyone that his sins are forgiven? Does He think He is God?
"Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all
that was done by Him (Jesus); and he was perplexed, because it
was said by some that John had risen from the dead…Herod said,
'John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such
things?' So he sought to see Him."
Luke
9:6-9
About six months had passed since John
the Baptist had been beheaded. Every time Herod closed his
eyes to try to sleep, he could still see those eyes stabbing
into his soul. He had allowed John's followers to take his
body and bury it. But still he could see those piercing eyes.
Would he never be rid of the picture? But now, to make matters
worse, he was hearing reports from all sources that there was
some "Miracle Man" roaming the country side, causing uproar
among the people. He heard reports about blind men seeing,
lame men leaping, deaf men shouting the praises of this
Prophet and miracle worker. WHO IS HE? Could it be John
the Baptist come to life? Come to torment him? Then, to add to
his nightmare, he learned that the followers of this "Usurper
of authority" had sent out His disciples to all parts of the
land, and they too were performing miracles. He would seek
this maniac out and get rid of him, once and for
all!
Historical setting:
Time: About 28
A.D.
Place: Over the Sea of Galilee, into the
mountains
Persons: Jesus, the twelve apostles, a
lad, and a crowd of people
Scripture: John 6:1-14;
Luke 9:10-17; Mark 6: 30-44; Matthew
14:13-21
"Some
wondered who Jesus was. But others followed Him. Many flocked
to Him to be healed." (NKJV Introduction to Mark.)
Multitudes followed this Man who was sought by the
Pharisees and leaders of the religious sector, and who was
feared by Herod. They had witnessed the miracle of the man at
the pool (the man at the pool -
John 5:1-15) and had heard Him give assurance to
the Nobleman of Herod's house that his daughter would be
healed. (The Nobleman - John
4:46-5:15) They thronged around Him, desiring healing, and
hanging on His every word. But who was He? Maybe if they
followed long enough they would find out.
The
disciples had just returned to Jesus after their experience of
going from place to place on their own and performing miracles
and telling people about this great Prophet who had come to
seek and to save them from their sins. They were enthused
about their adventure, but a few of them brought back to Jesus
a very disturbing report: King Herod was searching for Jesus.
He said he wanted to "meet" Jesus, but the disciples had heard
differently from many of the people they had met. Herod was
seeking Jesus to kill Him.
Jesus sensed the disciples'
fear for His life. He knew too, that they were tired from
their journeying from place to place. He was also still
saddened by the news of John the Baptist's death. It was time
to get away for awhile. He knew the perfect place, a deserted
spot, just out of Bethsaida.
After their long climb up
to the top of the mountain, Jesus and His disciples sat down.
The disciples breathed a sigh of relief. Oh, it was so good to
get away from the crowds of people for a bit. Now they had
Jesus all to themselves. They were eager to tell Him more
about their adventures in the villages they had been to.
Flopping on the moss, and taking off their sandals, they
rubbed their tired feet. At last they could close their eyes
for a much deserved rest.
Rubbing His eyes, Jesus
looked into the distance. Crowds of people were struggling up
the hill. Many who had gathered around Jesus saw Him and His
disciples climbing into a boat and crossing over to the other
side. Like sheep, they had followed Him. Jesus stood up,
alerting His disciples. Now was no time to rest. His heart was
moved in tenderness. Motioning the people closer, He began to
teach them. He saw the hurt and pain on the upturned faces of
the people before Him. He held out His hand to them, touching
any who came to Him, healing the blind, the lame and the
maimed. He called the little children to Him, lifting them
into His arms and comforting them. Mothers crowded around,
pushing their way past the disciples, yearning for Jesus to
touch their little ones. The disciples tried pushing them
away, but Jesus rebuked them. “Let the
little children come to me,” He said, “for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.”
After all, it was about the Kingdom of Heaven that
Jesus had just been speaking.
Evening came. Dew began
to settle upon the grass. Jesus looked again with compassion
at these hungry, thirsty people. It was for Heavenly manna and
everlasting water that they had climbed the mountain to get to
Jesus. However, Jesus knew too that their physical bodies must
be fed before they left for home, or they would faint on the
way. The disciples, wanting to get His attention, were tugging
at His garments. “What is it that you
want?” He said; although He knew what it was they
wanted to say to Him.
“It is getting late and the
people must be hungry," a disciple whispered.
Turning to Phillip He said, “Where
shall we buy bread that these may eat?” But of
course, Jesus knew what He would do.
Philip looked at
Jesus in astonishment. “We can’t feed them! Even two
hundred denarii’s worth of bread wouldn’t feed this crowd. And
who would have that much money? That is like two-thirds of a
year’s wage! No, we have to send the crowds home. We cannot
feed them.” What was Jesus thinking? Philip shook his head
and turned away.
Hearing the conversation between
Jesus and Phillip, Andrew, Peter’s brother, elbowed his way
closer, touching Jesus on His shoulder. Timidly, and without
much conviction, he said, “There is a little boy here who
has brought a lunch from home, but it isn’t much. It is only
five barley loaves and two small fishes. But what good would
that be, with so many to feed?”
Jesus smiled at
Andrew. “Bring the lad to me,”
He said, and turning to His disciples, He
instructed, “Make the people sit down in
groups of fifty.”
After the disciples had
the people gathered together, they had them sit on the grass
round about. “There must be at least 5000 men, not counting
the women and children,” they reported to Jesus.
Taking the little boy by the hand, Andrew led him to
Jesus. The little lad smiled and handed over his lunch.
Jesus lifted His eyes to heaven, blessing the small
offering. Then He told His disciples to pass the lunch around.
The people looked in amazement at the baskets of food being
passed around amongst them. Each one ate to his heart’s
content.
“Gather up the fragments
that remain, so that nothing is lost.” Jesus said.
The crowds couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw
twelve baskets filled with loaves and fish. In amazement, some
of the boldest of the crowd said, “This is truly the Prophet
who is to come into the world.” Their stomachs full, some of
the boldest put their heads together, plotting how they could
capture Jesus and make Him their King. At last, they would be
free of the Roman domination and be out from under the puppet
King Herod.
The Lad With The Lunch
The
lad woke at dawn, all excited.
Today was his birthday, you
see.
He lived near a town called Bethsaida.
Very close
to the sea, Galilee.
His mum had prepared him a
picnic.
She told him, “Be home before dark. ”
He meandered his way through the village,
Then walked
to the wilderness park.
He saw there a great crowd of
people.
They were listening to a Man dressed in white.
The boy nudged his way close to see Him.
He witnessed
the blind receive sight.
The lad watched the man bless
some children.
He saw Him make lame men to walk.
For
hours and hours he listened,
Mesmerized by the Man’s
wondrous talk.
All at once he heard a commotion:
The Man’s helpers were running around.
“It is late,
and these people are hungry.
Master, never can enough food
be found.”
"Send them home,” said another
disciple.
“We haven’t the cash to buy bread.
There
are thousands of men, women, children.
How ever can this
crowd be fed?”
It was then the lad went to Andrew.
He had seen this disciple before.
He said, “Here
are five loaves and two fishes.
It’s not much. I wish it
were more.”
Jesus blessed the wee lad and his
offering.
The food fed five thousand that day.
The
crowds all went home, in great wonder:
“Who’s this Man,
who such wonders display?
“We must capture Him and
make Him our Leader.
We have witnessed such wonderful
things.
We would be free from our burdensome bondage!
Let us crown Him and make Him our King!”
But once again, Jesus slipped away,
passing through the crowds, and to the mountain to pray by
Himself.
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© Helen Dowd Continue
with Study 10
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