The Feast of Jesus

Living Hope Presbyterian Church

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Matthew 14: 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

ESV: The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ©2011 Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.

Sermon Summary: The sermon delves into the concept of the gospel and the kingdom of God as treasures, emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate treasure. Through the retelling of the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, the sermon highlights themes of compassion, blessing, and satisfaction found in Christ’s feast. It explores how Jesus’ compassion drives him to heal and feed the crowds, showcasing his continuous outpouring of blessings and provision. The sermon challenges listeners to appreciate and imitate Christ’s compassion, acknowledge God’s blessings, and find satisfaction in Christ amidst life’s challenges.

Key Points:

• The gospel and the kingdom of God are treasures akin to a mustard seed that grows into a significant presence.
• Jesus exemplifies compassion, healing the sick, and feeding the crowds out of love.
• Christ’s feast symbolizes abundance, blessing, and satisfaction found in him.
• The disciples’ initial response contrasts with Jesus’ compassion, highlighting the selfless nature of Christ’s actions.

Bible Verses Mentioned:

• Matthew 14:13-21

Humor and Anecdotes:

• The speaker shares a personal anecdote about attending a large feast where food kept coming, akin to Jesus’ continuous provision at the feast.

Key Quotes:

• “Christ feeds us with his compassion. Christ sees our every need. Christ goes to the cross to minister to our greatest need.”
• “The Lord gives food and he satisfies. It’s satisfaction. That’s the nature of the Lord’s feast.”

Themes:

• Compassion: Jesus’ unwavering compassion towards the crowds and his continuous outpouring of blessings are central themes.
• Blessing: The sermon emphasizes God’s abundant blessings and provision, symbolized by the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fish.
• Satisfaction: Christ’s feast brings satisfaction not only physically but also spiritually, satisfying the deepest longings of individuals.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ response to the hungry crowds challenge our own tendencies to view needs as problems to be solved rather than opportunities for compassion?
2. In what ways can we cultivate a heart of gratitude for the continuous blessings and provision we receive from Christ?
3. Reflect on a time when you experienced Christ’s compassion or satisfaction in your life. How did that impact your faith journey?

Metaphors and Stories:

• The feeding of the five thousand serves as a metaphor for Christ’s continuous provision, abundance, and satisfaction found in him. It symbolizes the spiritual feast believers partake in through Christ’s compassion and blessings.