Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7

“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:1–7, ESV)

New Testament Reading: Luke 9:12-17

“Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, ‘Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.’ But he said to them, ‘You give them something to eat.’ They said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.’ For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, ‘Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.’ And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.” (Luke 9:12–17, ESV)

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Please excuse any typos and misspellings within this manuscript. It has been published online for the benefit of the saints of Emmaus Reformed Baptist Church but without the benefit of proofreading.

Introduction

The story we encounter here in Luke 9:12-17 is very famous. All four Gospels – Matthew (14:13-21), Mark (6:32-44), Luke, and John (6:1-15) – report that Jesus miraculously fed a multitude of 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish. Matthew and Mark also report that Jesus did the same thing with a multitude of 4,000 people on another occasion (Matthew 15:32-39; Mark 8:1-10). The question we must ask is, what is the meaning of this miracle? 

No doubt, Christ did something very kind for these hungry people when he fed them. No doubt, he was moved by compassion to feed this multitude. Matthew and Mark say, “he had compassion on them” (Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34). And Luke indicates this too when he says in 9:11, “When the crowds learned it, they followed [Jesus], and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.” He welcomed this multitude as one welcomes guests into their home. He cared for them. He provided for their needs. So, this great act of feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves and two fish was not less than an act of kindness and compassion, but it was certainly more than this. Have we not learned in our study of Luke’s Gospel to see the miracles Christ performed as signs? Have we not also learned that signs are always filled with significance or meaning? Furthermore, we should not forget the question that keeps popping up in Luke’s Gospel. It is the one that Herod asked as recorded in Luke 9:9 – “Who is this [Jesus] about whom I hear such things?” So what is the meaning of this miracle that Christ performed? I think it is safe to say that it has something to do with the question Herod asked: “Who is this [Jesus] about whom I hear such things? The story of the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 functions as an answer to Herod’s question.  

Who is this Jesus? I have three observations to present to you. 

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Jesus Is The Eternal Son Of God Incarnate

Firstly, the miracle of feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish signifies that Jesus was no ordinary man, but is God Almighty, the eternal Son of God incarnate. 

Just a moment ago I read Isaiah 9:1-7. I’d like to say a few words about that text. I think it will help us to better understand and appreciate what is going on in Luke’s Gospel. Isaiah 9:1-7 is a wonderful prophecy written over 700 years before Jesus was born. This prophesy was delivered by God through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Isreal as a message of hope. If you were to read through the book of Isaiah you would see that God delivered a lot of bad news to the people of Israel and the surrounding nations through this prophet. Many of Isaiah’s prophesies have to do with judgment. In fact, in Isaiah 8 we find a prophecy concerning the judgment that would soon come upon Israel in those days. The judgment of God would be poured out on rebellious Israel through the Assyrian Empire. The Assyrians would soon invade Israel from the north. They would pass through the region of Galilee and come down to the south, even to Jerusalem, and they would conquer. Isaiah delivered this bad news of God’s judgment to Israel as is recorded in Isaiah chapter 8. But in Isaiah 9:1-7 we find a message of comfort and hope. It is a prophecy about what would happen in the latter days. It is a prophecy about the coming Messiah and the Messiah’s everlasting and unshakable kingdom. 

Listen again to Isaiah 9:1. “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time [God] brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time [God] has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” (Isaiah 9:1, ESV). Note this, brothers and sisters: this is the same region where Jesus Christ was born. This was the region where Jesus primarily ministered. This was the region where he cast out demons, healed the sick, and fed a great multitude with only five fish and two loaves of bread. This is region – it was in the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali (two of the twelve tribes of Isarel) – where Jesus Christ proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God. All of this was in fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah 9. Here it again: “But in the latter time [God] has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.” Verse 2 of Isaiah 9 says, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone” (Isaiah 9:2, ESV). Truly, the darkness of the judgment of God did come upon these people and this region, but in the fullness of time, the light of Christ did shine upon them. Isaiah the prophet spoke of Christ when he said in 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:6–7, ESV)

Now, I must be careful. This is a sermon on Luke 9, not Isaiah 9. But the prophecy of Isaiah 9 serves as a very important backdrop to the story we find here in Luke 9. In fact, it serves as an important backdrop to everything that Luke tells us about the ministry of Jesus Christ in the region of Galilee, for Jesus Christ was the light that shone in the darkness of this region, in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. 

Notice that Isaiah said the light would be a child – “for to us a child is born.” The light would be a son –  “to us a son is given.“ The light would be a king – the government would be upon his shoulder and “of the increase of his government and of peace there [would] be no end…” He would sit “on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.” Perhaps the most incredible portion of Isaiah’s prophesy is the names that are given to this King of light: “his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV). Of these names, it was the name “Mighty God” that was most mysterious (see Isaiah 10:21). Those who read Isaiah’s prophesy in the 700 years after it was given and before the birth of the Christ must have wondered about the meaning of this. What could it possibly mean that this child to be born, this son to be given, would have the name, “Mighty God”, for there is only one God, and we know that he is not a man!

Well, the meaning of this mysterious prophesy became clear once the Christ was born and especially after he lived, died, and rose again. Now we can see clearly that Christ is the eternal Son of God come in the flesh. In Christ, the person of the eternal Son of God, the second person of the Triune God, the eternal Word of God (however you wish to say it), assumed a human nature. The Messiah is truly human, you see. To use the language of Isaiah 9, to us a child was truly born. Unto a son was given. He is the true son of Mary. This Jesus has a true human body with all its typical parts and a true human soul with all its faculties – mind, will, and affections. But the person of Christ – the person who acts through the human body and soul of Christ – is the person of the eternal Son of God.  

Do not forget the question: who is this Jesus? Herod was perplexed. The people had lots of opinions. But what is the answer that Luke gives? Luke wants us to know that Jesus is the promised Messiah, and, as the promised Messiah, he is no ordinary man, but is the person of the eternal Son of God incarnate.  Who is this Jesus? He is God. 

Luke has taught this throughout his Gospel. 

Firstly, in the birth narrative, he reports that Jesus was born to a virgin. The human nature of Jesus was brought into existence, not in the usual way, but as the power of the Most High overshadowed Mary. And the angel Gabriel explained, “therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God” (Luke 1:35, ESV). 

Secondly, we should not forget the testimony of God himself concerning the identity of Jesus as he spoke from heaven at the time of Jesus’ baptism. “[T]he Holy Spirit descended on [Jesus] in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased’” (Luke 3:22, ESV).

Thirdly, that Jesus is the Son of God incarnate was demonstrated throughout his earthly ministry through his words and the mighty deeds he performed. He forgave sins. The scribes and Pharisees were right to ask, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (Luke 5:21, ESV). But most of them were wrong in the conclusions they reached. They considered him to be a man who blasphemed rather than God, who justly forgives sins. When Christ healed by his own authority he showed himself to be no mere man, but God. When he cast out demons by his own authority, he showed himself to be God. In fact, we should remember what the demons of Luke 4:41 said concerning him. They cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God!” When Christ spoke to the wind and the waves by his own authority to calm them, he showed himself to be God. And when Christ fed the 5,000 with only five loaves of bread and two fish by his own authority, it was a demonstration of his divinity. To feed this many people with so little food required that something be created out of nothing. Only God can do this. In the beginning, he brought the heavens and earth into existence out of nothing by the Word of his power. Christ is the Word. Christ 

Who is Jesus? He is no ordinary man. He is the God-man. He is the person of the eternal Word or Son of God incarnate. 

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Jesus Is Like Moses And The Prophets But Greater

Secondly, the miracle of feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish signifies that Jesus was in some ways like Moses and the prophets of Old only much greater. 

As we consider this story about the feeding of a great multitude with a little bit of bread and fish it should remind us of two stories from the Old Testament. The first is better known than the second. 

Firstly, this story echoes the story about God’s provision of manna and quail in the wilderness for Old Covenant Israel. Do you remember that story? It is found in the book Exodus chapter 16. Israel was in the wilderness – we might say, in a desolate place – and they were hungry. Exodus 16:2 says. “And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger’” (Exodus 16:2–3, ESV). And so the Lord provided them with bread from heaven. They called it manna. And not only did the Lord provide them with bread to eat, but also meat. Exodus 16:13 says, “In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp. And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground. When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, ‘What is it?’ For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, ‘It is the bread that the LORD has given you to eat’” (Exodus 16:13–15, ESV).

When Christ fed the multitude in the wilderness it was to remind us of Moses and Israel and of God’s provision of bread and meat for them there in that desolate place. 

Christ is like Moses in many ways. Like Moses, Christ is God’s Prophet. Like Moses, Christ is the Savior of God’s people. And like Moses, Christ is the mediator of the Covenant that God made with his people, Israel. But Christ is greater than Moses. Moses was a prophet of God, but Christ is the Prophet of whom Moses spoke when he said, in Deuteronomy 18:15, “The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen…” (Deuteronomy 18:15, ESV). Furthermore, Moses was a great savior. God delivered Isarel from bondage to Egypt through him. But Christ is greater. He delivers the true Isarel of God from bondage to sin, the kingdom of Satan, and the curse of death. And lastly, Moses was the great mediator of the Old Covenant. But Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant, which is far superior. As the writter of Hebrews says, “Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6, ESV).

Clearly, when Jesus fed the multitude with only five loaves and two fish it was to remind us of the story of Moses and Israel and of the provission of manna and quail in the wilderness. Christ is a second Moses. But the story also shows that Christ is superior to Moses, for it was not Moses who fed Israel, but God working through him. This is what Jesus says as recorded in John’s Gospel. “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’” (John 6:32, ESV). When Christ fed the multitude in the wilderness, it was he who did it by his own authority. And he fed the multitude through his Apostles. So it is the Apostles who are on par with Moses as servants – Christ is superior. Stated differently, under the Old Covenant order, God the Son fed Israel with manna and qail from heaven through his servant Moses. Under the New Covenant order, God the Son incarnate fed Isarel bread and fish through his servants, the Apostles. Christ is like Moses, but far superior. Christ is the Son, Moses, and the Apostles are servants (see Hebrews 3:5-6).

Who is Jesus? He is no ordeinary man. He is the eternal Son of God incarnate. Furthermore, he is like Moses the mediator of the Old Covenant, only greater. 

The second, and lesser-known, Old Testament story to remember when considering the story of Jesus feeding of the 5,000 in the wilderness, is the story of the feeding of many prophets in the days of  Elisha with little food. This story is found in 2 Kings 4:42-44. Listen to it now. There was a famine in the land. Food was scarce. And a “man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack. And Elisha said, ‘Give to the men, that they may eat.’ But his servant said, ‘How can I set this before a hundred men?’ So he repeated, ‘Give them to the men, that they may eat, for thus says the LORD, ‘They shall eat and have some left.’’ So he set it before them. And they ate and had some left, according to the word of the LORD” (2 Kings 4:42–44, ESV).

The story that we find in Luke 9 is similar. I little bit of food is multiplied greatly so that many eat and are satisfied. Notice that in all three stories – the story about manna and quail in Exodus, this one here in 2 Kings 4, and in Luke 9 – the people eat and there are leftovers. What differs, though? Most importantly, in the case of Moses and Elisha, the LORD worked these miracles through them. In the case of Jesus, he worked the miracle by his own authority, for Christ is the LORD. Christ was the LORD who multiplied the bread and corn in the days of Elisha, and Christ is the LORD who multiplied the bread and the fish for this multitude in a desolate place. 

That we are to compare and contrast Jesus Christ with Moses and the prophets of Old is supported by the context here in Luke. Who did the people say Jesus was? Look back to Luke 9:6. “Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen” (Luke 9:7–8, ESV). Now look forward to Luke 9:18: “Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, ‘Who do the crowds say that I am?’ And they answered, ‘John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.’ Then he said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ And Peter answered, ‘The Christ of God’” (Luke 9:18–20, ESV). And look forward again to Luke 9:28: “Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:28–31, ESV). 

This section of Luke’s Gospel is all about the question, who is Jesus? And the answer that is consistently given is that he is the Messiah, the eternal Son of God incarnate, one who is like Moses and the prophets of Old, but far greater, for he is the Savior that was promised, the only mediator between God and man, the mediator of a covenant much better than the Old, for it is a covenant enacted on better promises.

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Jesus Is The King Of God’s Eternal Kingdom

The third and final observation I have for you is this: the miracle of feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish signifies that Jesus is the King of God’s Eternal Kingdom, the Commander of God’s army. 

Notice that Christ performed this miracle while speaking to the multitudes about the kingdom of God. That is what Luke 9:11 says. “When the crowds learned it, they followed [Jesus], and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing” (Luke 9:11, ESV). So Christ is King of God’s kingdom. 

As King, he calls his people to himself by his word.  As King, he orders and commands his people. Christ commanded that the people be grouped into 50’s as if companies within his army and under his command. As King, Christ provides for the needs of his people. Physically, he fed them with bread and fish. They had no lack. They ate until they were satisfied, and there were twelve large baskets left over. Spiritually, Christ gives himself for his people. The bread is his body. His body was broken for us, his blood shed for us, for the forgiveness of sins. 

It is worth noting that John in his Gospel records the teaching that Jesus delivered on the day following this event. He spoke to the crowds saying, “‘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.’ They said to him, ‘Sir, give us this bread always.’ 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” (John 6:32–37, ESV). So the giving of the bread in the wilderness did signify Christ giving his life for those given to him by the Father. 

Notice how the bread, which signified Christ’s broken body, was distributed to this multitude. It was distributed, not by Christ himself, but through his Apostles to the 100 groups of 50. This signifies how Christ would administrate his kingdom in the future. Christ’s kingdom would be furthered and his people fed through the ministry of his Apostles, and after them, through ministers of the word – pastors and teachers. Ministers of the word, if they are to be faithful ministers, must give the people Christ. They must preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. They must faithfully administer the Lord’s Supper wherein Christ is offered to God’s people in a sacramental way. When Christ fed the multitude in the wilderness through his Apostles it was a foreshadowing of what was to come. Soon, the Apostles would offer Christ to the world through their preaching. 

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Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, what a Savior we have. Who is Jesus? Jesus is greater than Moses and the prophets. Jesus is God. It was the person of the eternal Son, the second person of the Triune God, who was born into this world through the human nature he assumed. It was the person of the eternal Son of God who lived for us, kept God’s law for us, served us, and suffered for us and in our place. It was the person of the eternal Son of God who bled for us, died, and rose again for us through the human nature he assumed. This he did to save us and to bring us to the Father in glory. What a Savior we have. Do you know him? Do you trust him? Do you worship and serve him? I pray it so.