Fishes and Loaves

LUKE — LESSON 9

From the passages in Luke chapter 5 where Jesus called the twelve disciples to be apostles, he has been constantly teaching and preparing them for their ministry which will be to tell the world the good news that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near. This meant to the Jews, that the long awaited Messiah was coming. In our scripture passages taken from Luke chapter 9 and others, we are going to be looking at what the apostles and disciples would have learned from their experiences.

[Luke 9:1-11] (1) When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, (2) and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (3) He told them: “Take nothing for the journey — no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. (4) Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. (5) If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” (6) So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. (7) Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, (8) others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. (9) But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him. (10) When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, (11) but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

In Matthew chapter 10 this same story is told, but Matthew gave some information that Luke did not.

[Matthew 10:1-15] (1) Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (2) These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; (3) Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; (4) Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (5) These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. (6) Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. (7) As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ (8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (9) “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts — (10) no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. (11) Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. (12) As you enter the home, give it your greeting. (13) If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. (14) If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. (15) Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.

Jesus sent the twelve apostles to towns in Galilee to give their witness about what they had seen and heard and that the Kingdom of Heaven was near. Jews who heard this message would relate it to the Old Testament teachings and prophecies concerning the kingdom that was to come when the Messiah appeared. But they believed that it would be an earthly kingdom that would restore Israel to its power and glory as in the days of David and Solomon.

In these passages in Luke and Matthew we are told about the specific powers that Jesus gave to the Apostles and instructions about what they were to take with them, who they should go to, and what they would be able to do with their special power.

1: They had the power to heal the sick, raise the dead, drive out demons. — Jesus gave them the power of the Holy Spirit for the time they were gone. The Holy Spirit would not indwell them and stay with them until He came upon the Christians in Acts chapter 2.

2: They were to go only to the Jews, not to gentiles. — The gospel was first to be given to the Jews, God’s Holy people. They were given the opportunity to accept or reject their Messiah. After the Jews then it would be given to the gentiles.

3: They were to take no food, no money, no extra clothing, not even a staff. — This seems to be a bit strange that Jesus would send His apostles out with no protection, nor food or a way to buy any food. Jesus wanted them to learn to depend on Him through the Holy Spirit to take care of them, to provide all their needs. This was new for them but it would be a much needed learning experience when Jesus had gone back to heaven and their mission began.

4: They were to stay with someone in the village willing to give them hospitality and to stay in that home until they left the village. — If a kind family offered them hospitality, they were to accept and stay with that family until they were ready to leave the town or village. The family would receive a special blessing of peace.

5: If no one offered hospitality or would hear their message, they were to leave the village and shake their dust from their feet. — If the people in the town or village refused to hear the message about the Kingdom of God coming and no one offered them hospitality they were to leave that place, to shake the dirt of the place off their feet. Jesus said that the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah would be better off on the Day of Judgment than the people in that place.

[Matthew 1:8] (8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Luke told us that Herod, the ruler over Galilee who had beheaded John the Baptist, thought that John had come back from the dead.

[Luke 9:12-17] (12) Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” (13) He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish — unless we go and buy food for this entire crowd.”(14) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” (15) The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. (16) Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. (17) They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

After the twelve apostles returned from preaching, Jesus took them to a desert place so they could have some time away from the crowds. But the crowd of people followed them. Jesus ministered to the people and the time of day was late. The apostles asked Jesus to tell the people to leave to find food and shelter. Jesus told them to feed the people. It sounds like Jesus expected the twelve to use the power He had given them when they were sent out to the towns and villages, but they don’t seem to know that they can do this. Yet they have just returned from ministering, healing the sick and raising the dead.

The twelve told Jesus that the only food there was five loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus told the disciples to divide the crowd of people into groups of fifty. It tells us there were 5,000 men and there must have been women and children which would increase the number of people to as much as 10,000.

Jesus blessed the bread and fish and divided it among the twelve, each one having a basket. When they passed their baskets around to all the people, they had twelve basketsful left over. Jesus had compassion on the people who followed Him, but He also wanted His apostles to understand what God could and would do through them if they only had the faith.

[Luke 9:18-27] (18) Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” (19) They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” (20) “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.” (21) Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. (22) And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (23) Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. (24) For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (25) What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? (26) Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (27) “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Between verses 17 and 18 about eight months had elapsed. The time was Passover just one year before Jesus would be crucified. The crowds were making their way to Jerusalem. On Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem, the Jewish religious leaders plotted to kill Him.

Jesus asked the apostles who the people were saying that He was. It was not that Jesus did not know what the people believed about Him, but He wanted His apostles to think and understand themselves who He was and why He had come to earth.

The apostles said that the people believed that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah or another of the Old Testament prophets.Jesus asked who they thought He was. Peter, always the leader, plainly said that He was the Messiah from God. Then Jesus warned them not to tell people that He was the Messiah. His ministry time was growing short and the Jewish religious leaders were after Him. He plainly told His apostles that He would be killed and on the third day would rise again. We will see a little further in our study that they did not believe or maybe understand that Jesus, the Messiah, must die.

Following His revelation of what lay ahead for Him; Jesus told the apostles what lay ahead for them if they continued to be His followers. First, they would have to confess that Jesus was the Christ which is Greek for the Hebrew Messiah. Following Jesus’ death, this would be very dangerous. Second, they would have to deny self, deny what they wanted in life and go where the Holy Spirit would lead. Jesus said they would have to take up their cross and follow Him. The cross meant humiliation and death. So Jesus’ followers would forsake the life they had at that time, move into Jesus’s ministry spreading the good news at serious risk to their own lives. Third, those who were willing to give up their lives to follow Him, would gain a much better life in the end. Those who were ashamed or afraid to speak and teach the words of Jesus openly in this world, Jesus would be ashamed of them in heaven.

[Luke 9:27] (27) “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

This is one of those statements that has many interpretations. Some say that Jesus was referring to the transfiguration where He was seen in heaven with Moses and Elijah; some say it refers to Jesus ‘death and resurrection establishing the Kingdom of God; some say He is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of Judaism in 70 AD. Personally I think it could refer to all three. The apostle John would see all three and he would be given a vision of heaven in Revelation chapter 4.

In verses Luke 9:22-27, Jesus was trying to prepare His disciples for what lay ahead. He was not going to set up an earthly kingdom as they are expecting. The Jewish people would reject Him as their Messiah and He would die and be raised again. In order to be His followers they must give up their lives, travel over the known world and some of them would be killed for preaching the gospel.

[Luke 9:28-36] (28) About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. (29) As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. (30) Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. (31) They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. (32) Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. (33) As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (34) While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. (35) A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” (36) When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

This event is called the “Transfiguration” which means metamorphosis or change. About eight days after the feeding of the 5,000 men, Jesus left the area near Capernaum and went south to Mt. Tabor. He sought solitude for prayer and Peter, John and James were with Him. As Jesus spoke to God His father, His appearance changed. He took on a heavenly-glorified appearance as Moses and the prophet Elijah who had been dead for 1300-1500 years appeared from heaven and talked with Jesus. Why Moses and Elijah to appear and talk to Jesus? Moses was the one God chose to bring Israel out of bondage in Egypt and to receive the law and bring Israel to the Promised Land. Elijah was the prophet foretold to be the forerunner of the Messiah, the one who would announce that the Messiah was coming. Jesus said that John the Baptist was Elijah. So it seems that God sent these two Old Covenant saints to encourage Jesus, to help Him be able to endure what lies ahead for Him. As they communicated a cloud came down from Heaven and the voice of God acknowledged that Jesus was His son, the Messiah.

[Luke 9:37-43] (37) The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. (38) A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. (39) A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. (40) I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.” (41) “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” (42) Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. (43) And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

In Matthew 17:14-21 we are told that during these seizures the boy is sometime thrown into the water or into fire. This boy most likely was suffering from epilepsy but we cannot say that for sure. Whether a demon or epileptic seizures, the disciples were unable to heal him. The father, not willing to give up, brought the boy to Jesus who then healed him.

[Matthew 17:14-21] (14) And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, (15) “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is 3an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. (16) So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.” (17) Then Jesus answered and said, “O 4faithless and operverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.” (18) And Jesus prebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. (19) Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” (20) So Jesus said to them, “Because of your 5unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, qif you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. (21) However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

The twelve apostles had been healing the sick since Jesus sent them out to the towns, but in this situation, they were unable to heal the boy so they came to Jesus and asked Him why. His answer was that they had so little faith. He said that they could move a mountain if they had enough faith. Whether that was meant figuratively or literally I don’t know, but certainly Jesus was saying that they could do powerful things if they had the faith.

[Luke 9:44-50] (44) While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.” (45) But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it. (46) An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. (47) Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. (48) Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” (49) “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” (50) “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

After Jesus healed the boy who was having seizures, the people in the crowd were marveling at the miracle. Jesus took this time to tell His disciples that He would be captured, imprisoned. But the understanding was hidden from them and they did not understand that Jesus was telling them that He would be arrested and tried in Jerusalem. The disciples were arguing over which of them would hold the highest position in Jesus’ kingdom. Who would be the treasurer, the chief advisor, leader of the army? They did not understand that Jesus’ kingdom would not be an earthly kingdom, at least not at that time. Jesus, knowing what they are talking about, took a young child to stand by Him, likely on His right, the place of honor. The child is young, innocent, humble and trusting and believing. They just did not understand that life in Jesus’ kingdom was a life of giving, serving, lived in an attitude of humility and love. They could only understand earthly kingdoms with a ruler and chosen trusted men who held high position next to the king.

In verses 49 and 50, the disciples came to Jesus reporting that someone outside their group was healing the sick in Jesus’ name and they had tried to stop him. But Jesus told them to leave the man alone as long as he was not working against them and he was helping people then that was a good thing.

[Luke 9:51-62] (51) As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. (52) And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; (53) but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. (54) When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” (55) But Jesus turned and rebuked them. (56) Then he and his disciples went to another village. (57) As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” (58) Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (59) He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” (60) Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” (61) Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” (62) Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Jesus’ earthly ministry is about over and He is heading south out of Galilee through Samaria into Judea. He sent disciples ahead to get lodging for them for the night. The Samaritans in that village did not want Him. They knew that Jesus and His followers were Jews and Jews and Samaritans did not associate. The Samaritans were Jews until the Assyrians took the northern kingdom and moved so many people from other nations into what was Israel. The Israelites married with these gentile peoples, took their gods to worship and became unclean in the eyes of the Jews. Because of their rejection, the disciples wanted to rain fire from the heavens on them, but Jesus would not allow that and they moved on to another village.

In the last six verses, as Jesus and His followers were meeting people and preaching and teaching, three men express a desire to follow Jesus and be a disciple but He rejects all three. The first man promised to follow Jesus anywhere He went, but Jesus explained that His home is not here. He had no home in this world. It would seem that Jesus would accept this man as a follower, but Jesus looks into the heart of a person and He knew that the man would not be a true and lasting disciple. Jesus asked the second man to follow Him but he wanted to take care of family needs first and then follow Jesus. The third man promised to follow Jesus, but he too wanted take care of family first. Jesus made it clear that following Him must come first.

Lessons from Luke chapter 9:

1. The Great Commission directs all Christians to go and spread the gospel. The Holy Spirit guide and direct and provide the power.

2. Our service to the Lord is limited by our willingness and our lack of faith.

3. Churches today go by many names, but those who teach and preach the true gospel are all followers of Jesus.

4. Unfortunately in our busy world it is so easy to let family, work and other things dominate our lives and we give the Lord the leftovers. Jesus said the He must come first!

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