PULL OF THE PEOPLE

LUKE 9:1-17


  I. Mission of the twelve disciples (Mt. 10:1, 7-11, 14; Mk. 6:7-13; Lk. 9:1-6)


      One year before the final Passover, Jesus called and sent the Twelve two by two, region by region (end of Galilean ministry) to announce the Kingdom of God (Lk. 11:20), preach repentance, and heal in Jesus’ name. After the cross, Jesus called the church to complete the Great Commission.


      A. Empowerment (1; dunamis–Lk. 10:19; exousia–Mt. 28:18; Col. 2:15; Pentecostal power–Acts 1:8)


          1. Demons (Lk. 10:17)


          2. Disease (Mt. 9:35)


      B. Employment (2, 6; apostello–Lk. 10:1, 14:17; euaggelion–Lk. 9:6)


Lk. 5:15 [ESV]. But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities.


          1. Reach (souls; kerusso–Lk. 24:47; 2 Tim. 4:2)


      Robertson said, “They were itinerant preachers on a ‘preaching tour,’ heralds. . . proclaiming good news.” Endnote


          2. Remedy (bodies; sick–Jas. 5:14)


Mt. 10:8 [ESV]. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.


      C. Equipment (3; take none of these; Lk. 22:35)


      Edersheim wrote, “Again, the directions about not taking staff, shoes, nor money-purse, exactly correspond to the Rabbinic injunction not to enter the Temple-precincts with staff, shoes (mark, not sandals), and a money-girdle. The symbolic reasons underlying this command would, in both cases, be probably the same: to avoid even the appearance of being engaged on other business, when the whole being should be absorbed in the service of the Lord.” Endnote


          1. Staff


          2. Strap (leather wallet over shoulder)


          3. Supply


          4. Silver


          5. Seconds


      Robertson said, “No wallet. . . can mean the beggar’s collecting bag.” Endnote


But when the apostle departeth, let him take nothing except bread enough till he lodge again, but if he ask money, he is a false prophet. (The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles)


      Gould explained, “In general, these directions are against luxury in equipment. . . .” Endnote


      Jesus wanted the disciples free from the clutter of things that would hinder the commission to go. God promised to supply the need of those who went in obedience to His command, trusting Him for needs


      Smith wrote, “They were going on an urgent errand, and they must not stay to equip themselves nor encumber themselves with baggage. . . .” Endnote


Mt. 10:10 [ESV]. no bag for your journey, nor two tunics nor sandals nor a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.


      D. Environment (4-5)


Lk. 10:7 [ESV]. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.


          1. Receive (Acts 17:11; Jas. 1:21)


          2. Refuse (Acts 13:51, 18:6; treat as heathen–Mt. 18:17)


      Jesus did not force the gospel on anyone. Jesus determined the disciples’ success in preaching by the obedience to go not the response encountered.


 II. Murder of John the Baptist (Mt. 14:1-2; Mk. 6:14-16; Lk. 9:7-9) (Mt. 14:12-13; Mk. 6:30-32; Lk. 9:10)


      Prior to the mission of the Twelve, Herod Antipas imprisoned John the Baptist east of the Dead Sea in the high, desolate fortress Machaerus (3,800 feet above the Dead Sea) because of John's bold preaching (Ant., XVIII, v, 2).


Now when [many] others came in crowds about him, for they were very greatly moved [or pleased] by hearing his words, Herod, who feared lest the great influence John had over the people might put it into his power and inclination to raise a rebellion, (for they seemed ready to do any thing he should advise,) thought it best, by putting him to death, to prevent any mischief he might cause, and not bring himself into difficulties, by sparing a man who might make him repent of it when it would be too late. Accordingly he was sent a prisoner, out of Herod’s suspicious temper, to Machaerus, the castle I before mentioned, and was there put to death.


      Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, ruled Galilee and Perea from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39 (Mk. 6:17–rebuked by John; Lk. 13:32–called “fox” by Jesus; Lk. 23:7–helped Pilate try Jesus). John boldly condemned the scandalous marriage of Herod to Herodias, the wife of the half-brother, Philip (Mk. 6:17-18). Later, at a royal birthday party, Antipas granted Salome, the daughter of Herod Philip, a wish. Salome requested the head of John the Baptist (Mk. 6:21-29).


Prov. 29:10-11 [NIV]. Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.


      A. Reaction (to evangelistic mission of the twelve)


      Even in the palace of Herod, news of the apostles’ mission spread (Phil. 1:13). Herod heard of the mighty works in the name of Jesus (Mt. 14:1) and searched for an explanation. The early disciples preached Christ (1 Cor. 2:2).


          1. Conscience


      Robertson wrote, “A guilty conscience quickened his fears. Possibly he could see again the head of John on a charger.” Endnote


          2. Curiosity (John, Elijah, prophet)


Lk. 23:8 [ESV]. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him.


      B. Renewal


Mk. 6:31 [ESV]. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.


      John’s disciples brought the sad news of the Baptist’s murder to Jesus. After John’s murder and the return of the Twelve, Jesus pulled the apostles away into a solitary place for renewal (from the territory of Antipas to that of Philip).


          1. Work (Acts 14:27)


          2. Withdrawal (Lk. 5:16)


      Charles H. Spurgeon wrote, “Rest time is not waste time.”


              a. Place of mending


              b. Pull of multitudes


      Wiersbe wrote, “Jesus and His disciples desperately needed rest. . . yet the needs of the multitudes touched His heart.” Endnote


III. Miracle of the five thousand (Mt. 14:13-21; Mk. 6:33-44; Lk. 9:11-17; Jn. 6:1-15; only miracle told by all four gospels)


      A. Crowd (11; went 4 miles by boat and 8 miles by land)


Mk. 6:33-34 [ESV]. Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.


Jn. 6:2 [ESV]. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.


      B. Compassion (12)


      As the sun began to set, the disciples urged Jesus to send the masses away from that desolate place back to the villages for food and lodging.


      Edersheim wrote, “The only reason which can be assigned for the miracle of His feeding the five thousand was that of all His working: Man’s need, and, in view of it, the stirring of the Pity and Power that were in Him.” Endnote


      C. Calculation (13)


      Jesus commissioned the Twelve to give bread to the multitudes, knowing what He would do. Philip calculated that the day’s wages of two-hundred men (or six months wages of one man) would not provide one meager meal for the five to ten thousand gathered that day.


          1. Free (Is. 55:1-2)


          2. Faith (Mt. 6:11)


      The disciples mentioned the five loaves and two fishes as the excuse, but Jesus said, “Bring them to Me” (Mt. 14:18). Man’s inability opened the door for God’s ability (2 Kg. 4:42-44).


      Wiersbe said, “For some reason, it is never the right time or place for God to work.”

“Start with what you have.”

“Give what you have to Jesus.” Endnote


      D. Companies (14-15)


      Jesus divided the thousands into companies of hundreds and fifties to recline row by row upon the green grass.


          1. Lad (Jn. 6:9)


      Andrew, the soul-winner (Jn. 1:40, 12:22), brought a lad to Jesus. R. G. Lee said, “What a tribute these words are, not only to the power of the Christ but also to the lad who let go. This lad let go his substance.” Endnote


          2. Little


      John carefully recorded the insignificance of each aspect of the provision: a small lad (diminutive– only time in N.T.), a small loaf (barley– inferior sort of bread), and small fish (diminutive as small fishes; generally dried or pickled like sardines). Small faith will move great mountains (Mk. 11:22-23). “Little is much” when God is in it.


      E. Communion (16)


          1. Blessed (eucharistia)


      Jesus thanked God before the miracle. True faith casts bread upon the waters knowing it will not return void.


          2. Broken (bread and blood)


      The bread symbolized Christ the Passover, the Bread of Life who came down from heaven. The blessing came out of brokenness.


          3. Body (oneness)


      F. Collection (17)


      Jesus filled the multitudes to abundance (Mt. 5:6) and then filled Twelve baskets to the brim (Ecc. 11:1). The blessing of faith spilled over to those who served that day.


2 Cor. 9:8. And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:


      After the miracle, many walked away from Christ (Jn. 6:67-68). Stagg wrote, “After a miraculous meal, more than five thousand wanted to make Him king; but at the cross He hung between two thieves, and only a few faithful followers stood by.” Endnote


Jn. 6:35 [ESV]. 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.