Feeding Another Crowd:

Context:

• After giving crumbs of deliverance for the Canaanite woman’s daughter.
• Jesus walks beside the Sea of Galilee and sits down on a mountain.
• Again He is surrounded by great crowds.
• He heals the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others.
• And God is glorified.

Matthew 15:32 “...Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way...”

Mark 8:2-3 “...I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their homes, they will faint on the way. And some of them have come from far away...”

How does Jesus work in the supernatural?

• Healing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, etc.

How is Jesus quite practical?

• He recognizes the basic need for food. He sees beyond himself.

Matthew 15:34 “...And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish...”

Mark 8:5 “...And he asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven...”

What was available in the natural?

• Seven loaves and a few small fish.

What was available in the supernatural?

• Matthew 15:37 “...And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over...”
• Mark 8:8 “...And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full...”
• More than enough to meet the need.

What is available in the supernatural today?

• More than enough to meet the need.

Challenged again by the hard hearts:

Context:

• Following His supernatural work of both healing and feeding.
• The Pharisees and Sadducees put Him to the test.
• They ask for a sign from heaven.

How had Jesus already provided plenty of heavenly signs?

• To walk with Him was to see miracle after miracle.
• Only heaven could provide the power for the things Jesus was doing.

Matthew 16:2-4 “...He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed...”

Mark 8:12 “...And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation...”

Where was Jesus deeply affected by the Pharisees and Sadducees?

• He sighed deeply in His spirit.
• This was not a fleshly weariness, but a deep spiritual weariness.

How does the same problem exist today?

• Obstinate unbelief refuses to see the obvious work of God.
• Unbelievers always have questions, even though they are usually unreasonable.

Did Christ feel compelled to answer unreasonable questions?

• We will be unable to convince hardened hearts regarding things they have already refused to acknowledge.

A Canaanite Woman’s Persevering Faith:

Context:

• Jesus has challenged the Pharisees about following traditions rather than the commandments of God.
• He explained that defilement overflowed from an inward problem.
• Now He withdraws to the district of Tyre and Sidon, northwest of the Sea of Galilee on the Mediterranean coast.
• Mark 7:24 says He entered a house and didn’t want anyone to know.
•  He was looking for solitude, but couldn’t find a hiding place.
• A Canaanite woman fell at His feet and begged Him to cast a demon out of her daughter. 
• When Jesus didn’t answer her a word, His disciples begged Him to send her away.

 When has God's silence (not a word) been a test of our faith?

Matthew 15:24-26 “...He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs...”

Mark 7:27 “...And he said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs...”

Was Jesus only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel?

• That’s what He said. But “fed first” does hint toward others being fed as well.
• In Jewish Palestine, dogs were scavengers.
• You certainly wouldn’t give the children’s bread to scavengers.

• Matthew 7:6 “...Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you...”

• Revelation 22:14-15 “...Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood...”

What counter-argument did the woman make?

• In well-to-do Greek custom, dogs were sometimes pets.
• Children are fed before pets, but pets do get the crumbs that are dropped.

Matthew 15:28 “...Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly...”

Mark 7:29 “...And he said to her, “For this statement you may go your way; the demon has left your daughter...”

Why did Jesus heal her daughter?

• He was sent to set the captives free.
• Her faith and persistence, connected with His power and compassion.

In what way and on what grounds do we approach Jesus?

• Do we have confidence that we are children that deserve the bread?
• Do we have the humility, confidence, and perseverance to at least get scraps?
• Do we see in Jesus the only hope for meeting our deepest need?
• Are we persistent when He is silent?
• Do we reason with Him when He speaks?

Compare this Gentile woman’s response to Jesus to that of the Jewish leaders.

• The Jewish leaders rejected what Jesus was bringing to the planet.
• The Gentile woman begged for what Jesus was bringing to the planet.
• How do we respond what Jesus brings to the planet?

Mark 7:30 “...And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone...”

Do we want what Jesus offers, or do we want what the devil offers?

Do we recognize the source of our wants?

Traditions or Commandments:

Context:

• Jesus fed the five thousand.
• Jesus walked on the water and told the disciples to “Take heart, Do not be afraid”.
• In the land at Gennesaret, as many as touched the fringe of his garment were made well.
• Then the Pharisees and scribes question him about hand washing.
• The ceremonial hand washing was a rabbinic, not Mosaic, tradition.

How does religion get out of sync with the purposes of God?

• Matthew 23:24 “...You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!...”
• Focus on traditions sidesteps the very commandments of God.
• Focus on traditions blinds people to the presence of God in the now.

Matthew 15:3-6 “...He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God...”

Mark 7:9-13 “...And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do...”

How does Jesus turn the tables on the Pharisees?

• Rather than entertain a complaint about His disciples, He exposes the Pharisees.
• They’re accusing Him of breaking traditions that they feel are obligatory.
• Meanwhile, He accuses them of breaking the commandments of God, which are obligatory.

Which is most important, the commands of God or the traditions of men?

When is it difficult to distinguish between the two?

• When God’s Word is less known than man’s interpretations and proclamations.
• When God’s presence is less known than man’s preferences.

How were the Pharisees and scribes breaking God’s commands?

• The fifth command, in Exodus 20:12, says “...Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you...”
• To honor is to obey, to respect, and to treat correctly.
• The Jewish teachers had developed a method to provide for the religious system (giving to God) by neglecting parents.

Matthew 15:7-9 “...You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’...”

Mark 7:6-8 “...And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men...”

How can something that is prized as spiritual become a major problem?

• When traditions conflict with the ultimate intentions of God, even those passed on by sincere and respected teachers can lead to improper living.
• When lip service replaces close abiding.

Real Defilement:

Context:

• The Pharisees had just accused the disciples of failure to cerermonially wash.
• The were essentially accusing them of being defiled.
• Now Jesus clarifies where real defilement comes from.

Matthew 15:10-12 “...And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?...”

Mark 7:14-15 “...And he called the people to him again and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand: There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him...”

Why would this statement by Jesus be difficult for the hearers to receive?

• A major distinction of the Jewish people was the ceremonial clean/unclean laws.
• Jesus continues His consistent theme of moving attention from externals to internals.
• A person can meticulously follow purity ceremonies, but still be morally defiled.
• Matthew 12:34 “...You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks...”

What was the disciples concern in Matt.15:12?

• Do you think Jesus knew that He offended the Pharisees?

Matthew 15:13-20 “...He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone...”

Mark 7:18-23 “...And he said to them, “Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person...”

What did Jesus think of the Pharisees as leaders?

• They are blind guides.
• They and their followers were destined to fall into a pit.

Did the disciples understand defilement any better than the Pharisees?

• They were still without understanding, and asked Jesus for further explanation.
  

What defilements come from the heart?

• Evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander, coveting, wickedness, pride, foolishness.
  

The Bread of Life:

Context:

• Jesus had fed 5000+ people with 5 loaves and 2 fish.
• He had sent his disciples into a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
• After praying, He walked out onto the water brought things under control.
• The next day, the crowd, doing some detective work, realized that the disciples left in a boat without Jesus, but Jesus was now gone.
• some boats from Tiberias come by and took the crowd across the Sea.
• finding Jesus there, they questioned Him about when He came.
• instead of answering their question, Jesus reveals their hearts.

John 6:26-27 “...Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal...”

What logical reason for seeking Jesus wasn’t on their hearts?

• they weren’t seeking Jesus because they witnessed His ability to perform miracles.

Why did they seek Jesus?

• they liked eating.
• they missed the bigger picture by living in their basic natural desires.

 How are we guilty of the same responses?

• God is always at work.
• we tend to only see what satisfies our basic natural desires.

What challenge did Jesus give the people?

• labor for eternal, not temporal things.
• be wise enough to see beyond the basics and work for things that last.

What is the main object of your desires?

John 6:28 “...Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?...”

• Jesus was successful in challenging their thinking.

John 6:29 “...Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent...”

How would this answer be confusing?

• simply believing doesn’t seem like doing much.
• until you find out what believing in the sent one means!

John 6:32-33 “...Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world...”

How was Jesus directing their thinking?

• they knew the manna in the wilderness was a sign.
• Jesus connected the dots.
• both the manna and Jesus himself were life giving gifts from God.

John 6:35-40 “...Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day...”

How is Jesus expanding their understanding of belief?

• it’s not just recognizing the existence of Jesus.
• it’s embracing the reality of movement from the temporal to the eternal.
• it’s believing that Jesus is the life giving essence of current and future existence.
• it’s understanding that coming to Jesus is central and critical.

John 6:41-42 “...So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?...”

Why did the Jews grumble?

• they could only see the temporal.
• they were trapped in natural thinking.
• they couldn’t accept that He was bread from heaven.
• they wouldn’t accept the requirement to “...believe in him whom he has sent...”

John 6:43-51 “...Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh...”

Who comes to Jesus?

• only those that the Father draws.
• can you make someone come to Jesus?
• can you pray that the Father will draw someone to Jesus?

How was Jesus superior to manna?

• those who ate manna eventually died.
• those who eat Jesus will not die, but will live forever.

Who has eternal life?

• those that the Father draws, who believe.
• what belief? < that Jesus is the bread of life, sent by God to be eaten >

John 6:53-58 “...So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate, and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever...”

Why is this a hard concept to grasp?

• in the natural realm it sounds like cannibalism.
• in the spiritual realm it makes perfect sense.
• those operating in the natural will not understand the spiritual.

John 6:61-65 “...But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father...”

How much help is the flesh in finding eternal life?

John 6:66-71 “...After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the Twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the Twelve, was going to betray him...”

What caused many disciples to turn back and no longer walk with Jesus?

• saying that the flesh is of no help?
• saying that no one comes unless it’s granted by the Father?
• talk of eating His flesh and drinking His blood?
• all of the above?

Were all who continued to walk with Him pure in heart?

• Judas, said to be a devil, would betray Him.

How do we betray Jesus?

• by trusting in our flesh.
• by not believing in the bread from heaven.
• by not eating of His flesh and drinking His blood.