A Feast for Five Thousand

[0:00] Well, if we could, this morning, with the Lord's help, turn back to that portion of scripture that we read. The Gospel according to Mark, chapter 6.

[0:11] The Gospel according to Mark, chapter 6, and if we read again at verse 41. Mark 6, at verse 41. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing, and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people.

[0:31] And he divided the two fish among them all. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.

[0:42] And those who ate the loaves were about five thousand men. The scene which confronts us here in this chapter is probably a scene which is not too dissimilar from what we've been witnessing on the news over the past few months.

[1:07] With all these devastating pictures of people fleeing their homes because of war. And in the past few months and over the past few months, we've seen thousands of people making this treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea and into Europe.

[1:24] Or from the Middle East across into Europe. And with all the news reports which we've been given, we've witnessed thousands of people gathering into ferries or on trains or buses or even walking from country to country.

[1:41] And looking at all these scenes of thousands of refugees moving across Europe, you could say that they seemed like sheep without a shepherd.

[1:53] They have no place to call home. They have no security and they have no safety anymore. It's all been taken away from them because of war. And when these refugees were asked by the news reporters why they left their country, the answer many of them gave was that they were in search of new life.

[2:15] Search of new life. They were hoping for a better life somewhere else. They were looking for a new start and a new beginning. And we do hope that they will find safety and security as they enter into Europe.

[2:30] But that scene which we've witnessed time and time again on the news of thousands of people seeking new life, it's a similar scene which Mark is presenting to us here in this chapter.

[2:42] Because alongside the Sea of Galilee on this, you could say, Macher type land, thousands of people gathered from all over the nation of Israel and they'd come looking for Jesus.

[2:56] And their search for Jesus was because he was the miracle worker from Galilee. He was the one who was healing all these people and helping all these people and doing all these miraculous signs.

[3:09] And so this crowd, they came looking for Jesus. They came searching for something better. They came to Jesus seeking help. And they came to Jesus looking for a better life and desiring for him to help them.

[3:26] This crowd gathered before Jesus because they knew he was different. They knew he was different. And you know, when I look out from the pulpit every Sunday morning and Sunday evening, when I look at you, and I see that you faithfully gather here week by week, but sometimes and often I wonder, why?

[3:56] Why do you come? What is it that brings you here? What is it that draws you to this place? What is it that brings you to see Jesus?

[4:08] I'm looking at this crowd that came to Jesus. I wonder if you're here this morning because you're in search of something better. something that this life doesn't give you.

[4:22] And I wonder if you're here because you're seeking help. Help that this world doesn't offer you. I wonder if you're here because you know that Jesus is different.

[4:33] You know that he's not like everyone else. You know that he's not like all the other things that this world presents to us. You know that Jesus is unique. And that was Mark's purpose in recording this miracle.

[4:47] It was to further reveal the identity of Jesus. It was to draw us to see who Jesus really is. That Jesus is unique.

[4:58] In fact, that was the reason why all of the gospel writers recorded this miracle. The miracle of feeding 5,000 people. It's the only miracle that's recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

[5:13] And their purpose in recording the miracle is to reveal to us the wonder and the glory of who Jesus is and what Jesus is like.

[5:24] And so as we look at Mark's account this morning of this miracle, he's going to show us what Jesus is like. He's going to present to us the reason why we've come here. We want to see who Jesus is.

[5:36] And here he gives us three descriptions of Jesus. Because we have Jesus, the physician, in verses 30 to 32. We have Jesus, the pastor, verses 33 to 36.

[5:51] And then we have Jesus, the provider, verses 37 to 44. And so, who is this Jesus we have come to see?

[6:01] Who is he? Jesus, the physician. He is Jesus, the pastor. And Jesus, the provider. So we look firstly at Jesus, the physician.

[6:14] Jesus, the physician. Mark says in verse 30, And what we see in these verses is that this section opens with, it opens with the 12 apostles of Jesus returning from their first mission as preachers of the gospel.

[6:49] And they were returning from their first gospel mission because Jesus had sent them out. He sent them out. Because at the beginning of chapter 6, we saw that Jesus, he called his 12 disciples to himself.

[7:06] And then he sent them out two by two. And he sent them out into the surrounding region of Galilee to tell people about Jesus. They had been sent out.

[7:18] That's what the term apostle means. Someone who has been sent. And that's what happened. These apostles, they had been sent out.

[7:28] Sent out by Jesus. And Mark tells us in verse 12 of this chapter, he says, So they went out, or they were sent out, and proclaimed that people should repent.

[7:41] That's what they did when they were sent out. They went out with the message of Jesus. And it was a message of repentance. That we are sinners who need a saviour.

[7:55] And that's the message which every Christian and every preacher and every minister and every missionary, that's the message they are all sent out with. The message of repentance.

[8:06] That we are sinners who need to repent. That we need to turn from our sin and believe in the gospel. The good news all about Jesus Christ.

[8:17] That's why they were sent out. But what we see here is that after their first mission, the apostles came back together again. They gathered themselves together and they assembled and they congregated to meet Jesus.

[8:31] And it's interesting what we're told about the apostles after they returned to Jesus. Because Mark tells us in verse 30 that the apostles returned to Jesus and told them all that they had done and taught.

[8:48] Told them all that they had done and taught. And so what Mark highlights to us is that after the apostles returned from preaching the gospel in the surrounding communities, they congregated with Jesus to tell him everything.

[9:03] Everything of what they had done and everything of what they had taught. They told Jesus everything. And I think that's just a wonderful statement.

[9:14] They told Jesus everything. In his commentary, J.C. Ryle says about these words, he says, These words are deeply instructive.

[9:25] They told Jesus everything. And J.C. Ryle went on to say, This is a bright example to all ministers of the gospel and to all laborers in the work of doing good to souls.

[9:38] He says, Prayer says, Prayer is the main secret of success in spiritual business.

[10:06] They told Jesus everything. They told Jesus everything. And it goes without saying. That's what we need to be doing. We need to be telling Jesus everything.

[10:19] We need to be telling Jesus everything. Whatever it is, my friend, we need to bring it to Jesus. Whether it's our sinful heart, we need to bring it to Jesus. Whether it's the burdens of work or of home life, we need to bring it to Jesus.

[10:35] Whether it's our heartache, our sorrows, our loneliness, our worries, our pains, our illnesses. We ought to bring them all to Jesus. And my unconverted friend, I want you to realize how wonderful Jesus really is.

[10:51] Because you too. You are able. Yes, you are able to bring all the burdens of the day. And all the concerns of the night. And you're able to bring them to Jesus.

[11:04] That's the wonder of who this Jesus is. That we're able to tell him everything. We're able to bring everything to him. Is that not what the hymn writer said?

[11:15] What a friend we have in Jesus. All our sins and griefs to bear. What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer. Oh, what peace we often forfeit.

[11:28] Oh, what needless pain we bear. All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer. Have we trials and temptations, he says? Is there trouble anywhere?

[11:39] We should never be discouraged. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrows share?

[11:50] Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer. They told Jesus everything.

[12:03] Everything. That's wonderful. They told Jesus everything. But after the apostles told Jesus everything of what they'd done and what they taught, Jesus said to them, Come into a deserted place and rest a while.

[12:23] Come aside and rest a while. But what we ought to notice about this passage is that Jesus, he doesn't say much. He doesn't say much at all.

[12:34] But what he does say, it's telling of his care and his compassion towards other people. Because when his apostles returned from their first mission, Jesus could see that they were tired.

[12:47] They were all exhausted. And Jesus, the physician, he tends not only to their spiritual needs, but also to their physical needs. Because Jesus, the physician, he knows that we are flesh as well as spirit.

[13:03] He knows that we are body as well as soul. And Jesus, the physician, diagnoses that his disciples need time to rest. They need time to come aside and be restored.

[13:16] And Mark indicates to us the reason why the apostles needed rest. Because there were so many people, he says, coming and going, toing and froing.

[13:28] There was so much going on and they were so busy in all their tasks that they didn't have time to eat. Whether they often skipped breakfast or they missed their lunch or they didn't have time for dinner.

[13:41] Because they were constantly on the go, busy in the kingdom and busy witnessing for the Lord. With all the hustle and bustle of their lives. Jesus, the physician, says to them, stop.

[13:53] Come aside. And rest of life. And you know, there's a great application for us there too. Especially in the day and age in which we live.

[14:04] Where everyone is coming and going. Everyone's toing and froing. Everything is going so fast. People can't believe it's going from one week to the next.

[14:15] And everyone is so busy. That we don't have time for anything. And sometimes for anyone. We don't have time for family or friends.

[14:27] Or even our work. We're always pushed. And yet, Jesus, the physician, says, come aside. Rest a while. Come aside and rest a while.

[14:37] And the reason Jesus says this is because as our physician. As our, and as our creator. Of both our body and our soul.

[14:50] He knows our makeup. He knows how we are made. He knows what we need. He knows that we need rest. And he knows that we need to be restored when we're tired.

[15:02] He knows that we need to come aside and rest a while. And you know, that's what the Lord's day is all about. That's what the Lord's day is all about.

[15:15] That's why the Sabbath day was given to man right after he was created. It was given to us as a day of rest. Not only rest for the body.

[15:27] But rest for the soul. A day of rest for the soul. Because it's good to have a day off. It's good to have our body refreshed.

[15:38] And ready for another week that lies ahead. But our soul needs to be refreshed too. Our soul needs to be restored. Our soul needs to be fed.

[15:49] We need to find rest for our soul. And that's why it's good for us to come to church. That's why it's good for us to come here. That's why it's good for us to meet with Jesus every week.

[16:04] That's why it's good for us to come aside and rest a while. And even during the week, we have the prayer meeting. It's another opportunity for us.

[16:16] If you want to come, come. It's another opportunity to come away from all the busyness of a working week and meet with Jesus. And bring everything to Jesus.

[16:28] So that we will find rest for our soul. And my friend, is that not the great call of the gospel? Where Jesus says, come unto me.

[16:41] All you that labor and are heavy laden. And I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.

[16:52] For I am meek and lowly in heart. And you shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. My friend, Jesus, the physician, knows what you need.

[17:06] He knows that your greatest need is him. That you need Jesus. Everybody needs Jesus.

[17:18] You need him. And you know you need him. So will you not do as he has asked you? Come unto me. Because when you do come to him, he promises.

[17:32] You will find rest for your soul. You will find rest for your soul. Jesus, the physician. That's the first thing we see.

[17:43] But secondly, we see Jesus, the pastor. Jesus, the pastor. If you look at verse 32. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

[17:55] 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.

[18:06] And he had compassion on them. Because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. So in the previous section, Mark reiterated.

[18:18] He emphasized the intention of Jesus and his disciples. Their intention was to go to this deserted place to be by themselves. And Mark did that.

[18:30] He emphasized it. Because that was the plan. That was the plan. The plan of Jesus and his disciples was to come aside and rest a while. But what we see here is that nothing went according to plan.

[18:43] Nothing went according to plan. Because as soon as Jesus and his disciples tried to get to this quiet place and get some peace. The multitude saw Jesus and his disciples leaving.

[18:56] And they went after them. In fact, Mark tells us they ran. They ran after them. They ran so fast that they arrived round on the other side of the Sea of Galilee.

[19:07] Before Jesus and his disciples could get there on the boat. But you know, I love what Mark tells us next. That when Jesus saw the multitudes who had gathered on the shore.

[19:20] When he was coming into the shore on the boat. Seeing this multitudes, thousands of people. It says, he was moved with compassion. Because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

[19:35] I just love that. He was moved with compassion. Because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Because in these words we see that Jesus the pastor was also Jesus.

[19:51] Jesus the physician was also Jesus the pastor. He had a pastor's heart towards the multitudes. He had this care and compassion. The compassion of a good shepherd towards all these lost sheep before him.

[20:07] And that's what the multitudes were. They were lost sheep. Sheep without a shepherd. And we all know from our own experience. Sheep without a shepherd.

[20:20] They have no direction. They have no leadership. They have no one to feed them. They have no meaning. They have no purpose. Because they are lost sheep.

[20:31] In need of a shepherd. But what we see here is that before Jesus feeds these lost sheep. Before he feeds them. He teaches them. Before he feeds them.

[20:43] He teaches them. And we're told that Jesus taught them many things. That's just a wonderful thought. That Jesus the pastor. Who saw all these sheep before him.

[20:55] That were without a shepherd. And he saw that they had no direction in life. And yet he gave them direction. He saw that they had no leadership. And he gave them leadership. He saw that they had no meaning to life.

[21:07] And he gave them meaning in life. He saw that they had no purpose in life. And he gave them a purpose. Because he made these lost sheep. All his sheep.

[21:18] He claimed them as his own. He saw them as precious. He made them his treasured possession. And my friend. That's what Jesus does.

[21:32] That's what Jesus does. Jesus the pastor sees. That we're like sheep without a shepherd. Wondering aimlessly. We're lost sheep. Wondering about.

[21:43] Trying to find someone to lead us. And direct us. And give us a purpose. And a meaning to life. But when Jesus comes to us in the gospel.

[21:54] He promises to take us from all our lostness. To take us from all our lostness. Where life has no leadership. Jesus gives us leadership. When life has no direction.

[22:05] Jesus gives us direction. When life has no purpose. Jesus gives us a purpose. To live. When life has no meaning. Jesus gives us meaning.

[22:17] Because my friend. Jesus shows us his love. He gives us his love. He gives us. He gives us belonging. He makes us belong to him. He gives us dignity.

[22:29] He explains why we were created. God's love. God's glory. What is man's chief end? Glorify God. Enjoy him. Forever. But what is it that causes Jesus.

[22:42] To be our pastor? He gives us meaning. But what causes him. To be our pastor. What is it that prompts Jesus. To give us meaning to life.

[22:54] What is it that compels Jesus. To act in this way. His compassion. His compassion. His compassion. That's it.

[23:07] When Jesus saw the multitudes. He was moved. With compassion. So one of the most beautiful statements in the Bible.

[23:20] Jesus. Moved. With compassion. And this word. Compassion. It's only ever used in the Bible. To describe. Jesus.

[23:32] And we've seen this already in Mark's gospel. Where Mark. He repeatedly uses this word. In order to. Emphasize that Jesus. That this Jesus.

[23:43] He is one who moves with compassion. He moves. With compassion. That was the case in chapter one. When Jesus encountered this leperous man. We're told that Jesus.

[23:54] Moved with compassion. He put forth his hand. And he touched him. The same was true for Legion. The demon possessed man. When Jesus had cleansed him.

[24:05] From this demon possession. Jesus told him. Go home. Go home to all your friends. And tell. Tell them how the Lord. Had compassion on you.

[24:18] But also in chapter eight. We'll get there soon. When Jesus feeds the four thousand. The reason he does. Is because. He had compassion. On them.

[24:29] And my friend. This is the wonder of who Jesus is. That he shows. Compassion. To everyone. And to anyone. To anyone. That's. The compassion of Jesus.

[24:40] Is such that. He's compelled. To help the helpless. He's compelled. To strengthen those who are weak. To comfort. Those who are mourning.

[24:51] To encourage those. Who are downcast. To reach out. To those who are lost. Without. And without hope. And when it comes to. The multitudes.

[25:03] The multitudes. Which Jesus encounters. When it comes to them. There's no one too old. There's no one too young.

[25:14] There's no one too sinful. There's no one. Unforgivable. There's no disease. Too great. For Jesus. There's no problem. Too difficult.

[25:25] For Jesus. To address. Because. This. Pastor. He knows. Our deepest needs. And he moves. With compassion. And he stretches out.

[25:36] His hand. To us. In order to help us. And sustain us. My friend. The marvel of his compassion. Is that Jesus. Is more willing.

[25:48] To help you. Than you are. To ask him. Jesus. Is more willing. To help you. Than you are.

[26:00] To ask him. Therefore. The real issue. Is. Are you willing. To ask him. Are you willing.

[26:12] To ask him. Are you willing. To ask Jesus. Help me. Help me. Are you willing. For Jesus. To be. The good shepherd.

[26:23] He promises. To be. That's what we're singing. Goodness. And mercy. Psalm 23. The shepherd's psalm. That's what he promises. Goodness. And mercy.

[26:34] All my life. Will surely. Follow me. And. In God's house. Forevermore. My dwelling place. Shall be. That's his. Promise. To you.

[26:46] When you ask him. When you ask him. This pastor. He'll give you direction. This pastor. He'll lead you. This pastor. He'll give you a purpose.

[26:57] He'll give you. A meaning. He will give you. Life. Life itself. Because. That's the promise. Of the good shepherd. I have come. That you might have life.

[27:08] And have it more. Abundantly. Have it more abundantly. What better life. Could you have. What better life.

[27:19] Does this world. Offer you. There is no better life. Than. The abundant life. Following. The good shepherd. But looking at this situation.

[27:30] Of Jesus. Teaching the multitudes. We have to ask. What was it. That made these people. Run. To Jesus. What was it. That made these people. Run. After Jesus.

[27:41] What was it. That caused them. To come from all these. Cities. In search of Jesus. Verse 33. Tells us. They recognized him.

[27:54] They recognized him. They knew him. They knew his voice. They knew the call. Of the good shepherd. Is that not the case.

[28:04] With sheep. They know the voice. Of their shepherd. Is that not what Jesus. The pastor says. About his own sheep. My sheep. Hear my voice.

[28:16] And I know them. And they follow me. And I give unto them. Eternal life. But then there is the promise. Neither shall any man.

[28:29] Pluck them. Out of my hand. My sheep. Hear my voice. That's what makes the difference. Between being a follower of Jesus.

[28:39] Or not. My sheep. Hear my voice. My friend. You have heard the good voice. The voice of the good shepherd. You've heard it many times.

[28:51] In the gospel. But the question is. Are you listening to the voice? Are you willing to follow this pastor?

[29:02] This good shepherd? Are you willing to follow him? Because he is one who grants to us. Eternal life. Abundant life.

[29:14] Life in which. We shall never be plucked. Out of his hand. God. So we've seen Jesus the physician. Jesus the pastor. But in this last section.

[29:26] Mark presents to us. Jesus the provider. Jesus the provider. If you look at verse 35. It says. And when it grew late. His disciples came to him.

[29:38] And said. This is a desolate place. And the hour is now late. Send them away. To go into the surrounding countryside. And villages. And buy them. Buy themselves something to eat.

[29:48] But he answered them. You give them something to eat. And they said to him. Shall we go and buy. Two hundred denarii worth of bread. And give it to them to eat. And he said to them. How many loaves do you have?

[30:00] Go and see. And when they had found out. They said five. And two fish. And so. As we've seen in this passage. The plan. To come aside.

[30:11] And rest a while. It was all disrupted. By these multitudes on the shore. And in the eyes of the disciples. Who wanted their relaxing break. It was rudely disturbed.

[30:22] By all these multitudes. Because. When all these people came. From all over Israel. Instead of spending the afternoon. With his disciples. Jesus. Spent it.

[30:33] Pastoring the flock. On the maher. And it seems that the disciples. They took exception to that. Because. When it was getting late. And it was nearing dinner time.

[30:44] The disciples. They encouraged Jesus. Wrap things up now. It's time to go home for them. Send the multitudes away. They said. Send them away. That they can go to all these.

[30:55] Surrounding villages. And buy for themselves. Something to eat. They were saying. It's dinner time. Get rid of these people. We've been so busy. Over the past while. We haven't had time to eat.

[31:07] Because of all these people. We haven't had a moment. Peace. Send them away. They can buy their own food. But isn't it amazing. What Jesus says to them.

[31:18] To them in verse 37. You give them something to eat. You give them something to eat. And Jesus. He doesn't send the multitudes away.

[31:30] Who are in need. He doesn't send them away. Instead. He reminds his disciples. That this is the great call. Of the church of Jesus Christ. That we must not only tend to.

[31:43] The spiritual needs of others. But we must also. Tend to the physical needs. Of others. Which we need to see. Other people's need. We need to see their need.

[31:55] And what we see is that. The disciples. They didn't have time. For these people. But Jesus taught. The disciples that. They needed to make time.

[32:06] For them. And that's the call of the church. We need to make time. For people. We need to make time. To attend. Not only to.

[32:16] The spiritual needs. Of our community. But also. The physical needs. Of our community. We need to make time. To be involved. In our community. We need to. Make time.

[32:27] To be disciples. In our community. We need to make time. To be witnesses. In our community. Because. Just like these disciples. We can get. So caught up. In our own needs.

[32:38] And our own wants. And our own problems. That we can't see. The needs of others. And dare I say it. We aren't interested. In the needs of others. Because we have enough.

[32:50] On our own plate. But the danger is that. We become. Selfish disciples. Selfish disciples. Of Jesus. Jesus.

[33:01] But what Mark makes clear to us. Is that. Despite the selfish nature. Of the disciples. Jesus. The physician. Jesus. The pastor.

[33:11] Jesus. The provider. He was interested. He was interested. In the multitudes. And he was interested. Because. Jesus.

[33:22] Jesus. Jesus. Will never let you down. Jesus. Will never let you down. My friend. The church. Will let you down.

[33:34] I. Will let you down. The elders. Will let you down. Selfish disciples. Will let you down. But Jesus.

[33:45] Will never. Let you down. Jesus. Will never. Let you down. He'll never. Leave you. Helpless. He will always. Provide for you. In your greatest need. And it doesn't. Matter.

[33:56] How hard. Or how impossible. It may seem. Jesus. Is the God. Of the impossible. Jesus. Is the God. Of the impossible. And that's what the disciples.

[34:07] Couldn't understand. Because they questioned. Jesus. When. He told them. To feed the multitudes. They said. Shall we go and buy. Two hundred. A denarii. Worth of bread.

[34:19] In other words. Shall we go and spend. Eight months. Wages. To feed this crowd. And Jesus. Says to them. How many loaves. Do you have. Go and see. And Jesus.

[34:30] Was saying. Where's your faith. Where's your commitment. You've witnessed. So many miracles. Before. How many loaves. Do you have. Go and see. And we know. From the other. Gospel accounts.

[34:41] That. The disciples. Found this little boy. With his packed lunch. Fish. And yet. All he had. Was five loaves. And. And two little fish. And one of the disciples.

[34:52] Asks. Well. What are they. Among. So many people. What are they. These people. But what happens. Next. Is remarkable. Because we're told.

[35:02] In verse 39. He commanded them all. To sit down. In groups. On the green grass. So they sat down. In groups. By hundreds. And by fifties.

[35:14] Despite. The small portion. That was available. Jesus commands them all. Sit down. Sit down. And so over. Five thousand people.

[35:26] Sit down. In ranks of hundreds. And fifties. But what I find. So wonderful. Is not the amount. Of people. That Jesus. Was going to feed. Yes.

[35:36] The miracle. Is amazing. It's absolutely. Amazing. But what. I find so wonderful. Is when Mark. Says that. When all these people.

[35:47] Sat down. They sat down. On green grass. I mean. Why mention. That the grass. Is green. None of the other. Gospel writers.

[35:57] Mention the color. Of the grass. Everyone knows. That grass. Is green. So why mention it. Why draw. Our attention. To it. And that's what. I find so wonderful. That. That Mark.

[36:08] Is continuing. This shepherd. Theme. That Jesus. Has. Had compassion. Upon the multitudes. Because they were like. Sheep. Without a shepherd.

[36:19] But now. Mark. Is affirming to us. Here. That the multitudes. Were now sheep. With a shepherd. A shepherd. Who. Not only pastors. Our spiritual needs. But also a shepherd.

[36:30] That provides. For our physical needs. And with this little detail. Jesus. Had Jesus. Commanded the people. To sit down. On the green grass.

[36:41] Mark. Is pointing to us. And saying. This is the true shepherd. Of Israel. This is the true shepherd. Of God's people. He's identifying.

[36:51] Jesus. As the shepherd. Of whom we were singing. In Psalm 23. Because as many of us. And if not all of us. Know. David opens that. Well known psalm.

[37:02] In Psalm 23. With the words. The Lord's. My shepherd. I'll not want. He makes me down. To lie. In pastures. Green.

[37:14] He leadeth me. The quiet waters. By. And that's the scene. Which Mark is. Presenting to us. In his gospel. This large. Flock.

[37:25] Large. Flock. Sitting down. On the green. Pastures. Beside. The still waters. Of the sea of Galilee. And they're being fed. By the true shepherd. They're being fed.

[37:37] By their. Their. Their leader. The one who's going to lead them. And guide them. And keep them. They're being fed. By the one who's providing.

[37:48] For them. And their provision. Was such that. They were not in want. The Lord's. My shepherd. I'll not. Want.

[37:58] They lacked nothing. They lacked nothing. And it's a. A beautiful picture. Of the shepherd. Providing. For his sheep. But that's the wonder.

[38:10] Of this shepherd. That when we claim him. As. My shepherd. When we. Can say. The Lord. Is my shepherd. It's then.

[38:21] That we will not. Lack anything. It's then. That there will be. Nothing missing. In our life. It's then. That we will see. That life. It has direction. Life. Has meaning.

[38:31] Life. Has purpose. It's only. When we can say. The Lord. Is my shepherd. That's when we have. Eternal life.

[38:43] Because if we're not. Living for this. Good shepherd. What are you. Living for? What are you. Living for? If you aren't. Following Jesus. Then.

[38:54] Your life. Must be empty. Either that. Or you're. Filling it. With things. That will not. Last. If Jesus. Isn't your. Shepherd. Then.

[39:05] What purpose. Do you have? Tell me. Why you exist. If Jesus. Isn't your shepherd. Why are you. Healed. If Jesus. Isn't your shepherd.

[39:17] Why does this world. Exist. If Jesus. Isn't your shepherd. If Jesus. Isn't your shepherd. The Bible. Is saying. You're lost.

[39:30] You're lost. You're lost. And you need. To make him. Your shepherd. You need.

[39:42] To make him. Your shepherd. Because this shepherd. He'll provide. For every need. That's what we see here. He granted. Sufficient.

[39:52] Provision. He gives. Thanks for the food. And he. Distributes it. Through his disciples. To five thousand. People. It was. Distributed.

[40:03] By the disciples. Who at first. Had refused. To do anything. With these. Multitudes. The disciples. Had told them. To go away. And like the disciples.

[40:13] When Jesus. Asks us. To do something. That we don't want to do. Jesus always shows us. His way is perfect. His way is the right way. And that we'll be blessed. When we're obedient.

[40:25] And that's what happened. It says in the last. Couple of verses. In that section. They all ate. And were satisfied. They took up. Twelve baskets. Full of broken pieces. And of the fish.

[40:36] And those who ate the loaves. Were five thousand men. Jesus. The provider. Satisfied. Everyone's need. He provided.

[40:47] For his hungry flock. He provided. A basket. Each. For all his disciples. Which was more than enough. For them to eat. And my friend.

[40:59] That's who Jesus is. That's who Jesus is. And that's what Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Does. Because that's the promise. Of the New Testament. This Jesus.

[41:11] Jesus. The physician. Jesus. The pastor. Jesus. The provider. This Jesus. Does. In us. And for us. Far above.

[41:22] And beyond. Our asking. Or our thinking. Today. so who better for you to trust today than this Jesus who better may the Lord bless these thoughts let us pray O Lord we give thanks for the great privilege of being able to address thee as our shepherd and help us Lord we pray O to be followers of that good shepherd to see that the Lord one who is so good to us each and every day in life that despite all we go through and all that we may encounter in this life we give thanks to the Lord one who is still with us the one who has promised to be a good shepherd to us who will lead us and guide us who will provide goodness and mercy even all the days of our life and that in God's house forevermore our dwelling place shall be help us to trust him help us not to walk away from him and help us Lord we pray to hear his voice to call out to him to commit our lives into his care and to his keeping do us good then we pray bless us and go before us for Jesus sake

[42:51] Amen we shall conclude by singing in Psalm 107 Psalm 107 again in the Scottish Psalter that's page 382 in the blue book Psalm 107 singing from verse 5 down to the verse marked 9 for thirst and hunger in them faints their soul when straits them press they cry unto the Lord and he them frees from their distress them also in a way to walk that right is he did guide that they might to a city go wherein they might abide oh that men to the Lord would give praise for his goodness then and for his works of wonder done unto the sons of men for he the soul that longing is doth fully satisfy with goodness he the hungry soul doth fill abundantly these verses of Psalm 107 to God's praise for thirst and hunger in them faints their soul when straits them press they cry unto the Lord their soul then peace from their distress them also in a way to walk the Christ is he did guide the Lord that they might to a city go where in them might die

[45:09] O that men to the Lord would give grace for his goodness and for his works of wonder done unto the sons of men for he the soul that longing is doth fully satisfied with goodness he the hungry soul doth fill the heart and doth flee the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ the love of God the Father and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all now and forevermore

[46:27] Amen Amen