Jesus Heals Blind Men and Mute Demoniac Matthew 9:27-34

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1 Lesson 11 Teaching in Nazareth, Sending out the Twelve, The Cost of Discipleship Jesus Heals Blind Men and Mute Demoniac Matthew 9:27-34 After healing the woman with the issue of blood and bringing Jairus daughter back from death Jesus begins to move on probably going toward the house they used in Capernaum (v. 28). A couple blind men were crying out, Have mercy on us, Son of David (v. 27). They are appealing to Jesus for help based on their understanding of who He is, and are more hopeful on His mercy will provide healing. By referring to Him as Son of David they are acknowledging His messianic identity as the descendant of David. Jeremiah prophesied that God would raise up for David a righteous Branch (or Sprout, i.e. Son) who will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land (Jer. 23:5-6). By faith these blind men recognized Jesus, even without eyesight, as the fulfillment of that prophecy and believed He would execute justice for them (Jer. 33:14-15). Perhaps somewhat marveling at their insight into Scripture and their faith Jesus asks, Do you believe that I am able to do this? (v. 28). It seems to be more of an exclamation than a question, as if Jesus is asking, Do you really understand who I am, and that I can do this? Jesus responds to their faith and touches their eyes saying, Be it done to you according to your faith (v. 29). Scripture had taught them that the Son of David would come and bring justice and salvation to Israel. They believed Jesus to be that Messiah and believed His mission was to heal Israel. They were rewarded for their understanding and faith. A demon-possessed man was then brought to Him who couldn t speak. Jesus casts the demon out of the man and he was able to speak, and the multitudes marveled that He had such power and authority, saying, Nothing like this was ever seen in Israel (v. 33). To think that this was probably one of the first things the healed blind men actually saw is interesting in light of this comment by the multitudes. Jesus was opening more than just physically blind eyes. He was showing things that not even sighted persons had seen before and opening spiritual eyes also. While the multitudes marveled the Pharisees once again responded out of jealousy and darkened hearts. They again choose to say that He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons (v. 34). They are using the same argument they used before that He is of the devil instead of being from God (Matthew 12:24). Jesus Teaches in Nazareth, Gets Rejected Again Matthew 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-6 At this point Jesus leaves Capernaum and heads southwest to His home town of Nazareth. Mark tells us His disciples followed Him. Matthew and Mark both put Him immediately in the synagogue teaching the people and astonishing them with His words, wisdom, and miraculous powers. Even though they are amazed at Him they cannot accept Him for who He actually is and begin to assess Him with eyes fixed on physical instead of the spiritual realities. They stumble because they know Him to be a mere carpenter s son and brother to people they know to be very ordinary. They had known Him as a boy and watched Him grow up. Even His 1

2 brothers at this time could not see with faith who He really was. They could all observe His wisdom and miracles, and even marvel at them; but they did not really know Him. Even today we have to guard against our familiarity with Jesus and our traditions preventing us from really knowing Him. Just as His hometown people and family had to see Him apart from everything they knew, we too must see and understand Him as He really is and not as we have always thought He was. Jesus said familiarity causes prophets to be without honor among the people who know them. Rejection of prophets was a well-known problem in Israel s history. They had rejected true prophets of God like Isaiah (Is. 6:9-11), Jeremiah (Jer. 11:18-21), and Ezekiel (Ez. 2:3-5). Jesus suffered this same fate in His hometown and as a result He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief (Matt. 13:58). Just as faith had produced miracles in Capernaum in the accounts above, unbelief restricts miracles in Nazareth. It is not merely a simple struggle of faith that keeps God from showing His power, but the rejection of truth and the refusal to believe is what creates the environment in which He chooses not to work. Jesus Commissions Disciples to Preach and Heal Matthew 10:1-23; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6 At this point Jesus summons His twelve disciples to Himself and gives them authority over demons and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness (Matt. 10:1). He is preparing to send them out on mission as messengers of the kingdom of heaven (10:7). They are to be the first missionaries or sent ones of the gospel. Possibly they are being sent to Nazareth because the people there would not listen to Jesus (See above). Matthew points out that they were named as the twelve apostles (v. 2). There is much instruction given to them in preparation for this assignment. Matthew is the only writer to list all the apostles by name at this point. It is interesting that the apostles are not only equipped with the gospel message but also with authority over demons and disease. The authority given them is a sign that the message they carry is from God. The power to perform signs and wonders was given as a witness of the true gospel message (See Acts 4:33). Signs were the witness of God that He had sent the messenger and the message so people would believe as Paul said, that your faith should not rest on the wisdom of men alone. These signs were never intended to be used at our discretion or for any purpose but to confirm the gospel message and the anointed vessels carrying it. The miracle of healing bodies is always done as part of the gospel proclamation. It was not given that we should simply walk in divine health. The ministry of the apostles was to be sent forth with a specific message and mission with accompanying signs and wonders to attest to the fact that the message and messengers were sent by God (See 2 Cor. 12:12). Apostles then are literally commissioned agents of Jesus sent forth with a mandate and the delegated spiritual authority necessary to fulfill and confirm their mission. The list of apostles was not a particularly impressive list from an educational or economic perspective. Most of the twelve were from Galilee and were members of what would have 2

3 been middle-class professions (i.e. fishermen and tax-gatherers). Since Matthew gives the most detailed account of this event we will follow his narrative through keeping Mark and Luke in view. Matthew 10:5-6 It is significant that Jesus named twelve apostles at this time and sent them to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matt. 10:6). They were not to go in the way of the Gentiles nor enter any city of the Samaritans (v. 5). Future missions and apostolic mandates would include getting the message to all nations. 10:7-8 These apostles were to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons preaching the message that The kingdom of heaven is at hand. These miracles were signs of the kingdom. Jesus was demonstrating that the kingdom consists not only in words but also in power (1 Cor. 4:20). True proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom always carries the apostolic message and is often attested to by signs. 10:9-11 All three gospel writers show us that Jesus had called His disciples to a simple lifestyle (Matthew 10:8-12, Mark 6:9-10, Luke 9:3-4). They were to live a life of faith and trust in God to provide for them (Mt. 6:25-34), free from the concerns of everyday needs, and certainly free from the love or pursuit of money (See Paul s instruction to Timothy in 1 Tim. 6:9-11). The apostles were not to even pack, as was customary on a journey and take two tunics, or a change of clothes. The order to not take a bag for your journey (v. 10) could have been instructions to avoid begging or asking for money as others would do. The bag was typically used to carry money and was worn around the neck or attached to the belt. It was also displayed as a way of asking for support. Some of these instructions to the disciples would distinguish them from other traveling preachers of the Greek and Roman world. Even though Jesus said the worker is worthy of his support (v. 10), the disciples were not to be offensive to anyone in the area of money and possessions (See 1 Cor. 9:10-12, 10:32-33). The Lord s provision often comes through the obedience of His people to open their homes or pocketbooks to provide for His commissioned messengers, and the disciples were to look for those worthy servants in whatever city or village they entered (v. 11). 10:12-15 Jesus apostles were agents of His kingdom, and as such were to be received as Jesus Himself (v. 40). If anyone did receive them and their message, their greeting of peace would come upon the house. However, whoever does not receive them or their message is guilty of rejecting Jesus Himself, and the apostles were to shake off the dust of your feet from that city in protest and judgment against it (Acts 13:51). The rejection of His apostolic message and messengers was considered a greater offense then the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 15). 10:16 Matthew includes words about persecution in his record of the commissioning of the apostles. The apostles are like sheep in the midst of wolves and as such are to be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves (v. 16). Wolves have an appetite for sheep. Sheep who find themselves surrounded by wolves would do well to not draw attention to themselves unnecessarily and to be as inoffensive, or innocent as possible so as not to give the wolves any more reason to devour them. The call to be shrewd is an exhortation to be intelligent or prudent in any situation. A disciple need not give the world more reason to be offended at them than what the gospel creates on its own. We are to be truly led by the Spirit of God. Remember that the gospel of the kingdom is the message; not our opinions. We are also 3

4 encouraged to be innocent and do nothing that can be held against us. When we suffer persecution it should be for the sake of the gospel and not because we have done something to warrant it. Peter evidently learned the lesson well and taught similarly to his readers in 1 Peter 3: :17-20 Jesus tells the apostles to expect to be delivered up to the courts and scourged in the synagogues because both the financial and religious arenas of life are going to take offense at the preaching of the kingdom. The message and call to a life free of the pursuit of money and idolatry is offensive to the world systems. Industries that make money appealing to the sinfulness of humanity will suffer when the gospel is accepted by their targeted consumers (See Acts 19:23-28). Also throughout history the established religious order of the day has taken offense at the revealed truth of God s Word. It can threaten the authority and positions of honor of those in lead roles, and particularly those making money in the system. In light of all this, Jesus has promised His disciples they will be dragged before civil and religious leaders and punished for their preaching. The scope of their mandate will eventually increase as the persecution they suffer will bring them before governors and kings which will be a testimony to them and to the Gentiles (v.18). In other words, their ministry will reach eventually beyond Israel and the Jews. Their defense before these rulers would become opportunity for their testimony. They are not to even worry about what to say when they are brought to give a defense of their message, For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you (v. 20). A disciple of the kingdom must understand that it is only by God s Spirit they can fulfill their mission. Deep reliance upon the Spirit is a must. The apostles are to learn what Jesus already knew, that they do not even speak their own words, but instead speak the words given them by God (See John 12:49). 10:21-23 The divisiveness of the gospel will cut deep into family and cultural relationships, so much so that even brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents, and cause them to be put to death (v. 21). Jesus has come to bring fire upon the earth and division to families (Luke 12:49-51). The result is so complete that He tells His disciples they will be hated by all (v. 22). Because of this there is an endurance that is required of a true disciple. It is not an easy path to follow Jesus. It is one that promises reward and blessing in the future, but one that demands faith and perseverance in this life to make it to the end. The apostles are encouraged to flee from any city that persecutes them and promised that there is enough work to do that it will not be finished until the Son of Man comes (v. 23). The Meaning and Cost of Discipleship Matthew 10:24-11:1 10:24-25 In one of the clearest statements on discipleship in the Bible Jesus says it is the goal of any disciple that he become as his master (v. 25). In the disciple/teacher relationship the objective of the teacher is to give the instruction and discipline necessary to reproduce in the disciples the same abilities and qualities of character possessed by the teacher. In short, the goal of the disciple is to become like the teacher in a particular discipline. In this case they 4

5 were also to expect to share in the Teacher s suffering, because a disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master (See John 15:18-21). It is clear from the evidence of Scripture and other writings that the apostles and the early church understood that following the Christ meant sharing His character and His sufferings. They were not only to expect it, but rejoice at the rewards of suffering (See 1 Peter 4:12-19; Acts 5:40-41). They knew that faith in Jesus meant life would become a greater challenge, however, a disciple must become like Jesus in that he lay down his life for the work of God. Faith in Jesus to them meant they trusted His grace to be there through all types of hardship. It did not mean that Jesus would make sure all things went well for them. Jesus gave His life to please the Father and do His will. The goal of true discipleship is to produce in the disciple the same image, it is the image of a son of God, or the image of Christ. It is produced by teaching them to obey all that I commanded you (Mt. 28:20). The disciples instructions: 10:26-28 There is a day of reckoning coming when all things will be revealed (See Rom. 1:16). Knowing that all men will face this day of open judgment, the disciples are not to fear them, but should proclaim the gospel all the louder. What they hear in whispers they should yell from housetops because of the impending judgment. Because we understand that God will judge the world, disciples should not fear men who can only kill the body, but should fear God who is able to destroy the soul as well. 10:29-31 This God who can destroy the soul of man will be with them and concerned about them in life or in death. There is no guarantee that all things will go well. Some of them will be called to give their life. 10:32-33 Along with the promises Jesus is giving His disciples about the trials and persecution they will face He also gives them a sober warning: they are to be sure not to deny Him before men, even in their most difficult hour. Everyone who remains faithful to the end will be confessed or acknowledged before the angels of heaven by the Son of Man (Luke 12:8). Perhaps we see an example of this in Acts 7 when Stephen is being put to death by stoning. He says that he sees the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. Possibly the Lord stood to make confession of Stephen at the point of his death. 10:34-36 Most of us when asked if Jesus came to bring peace on earth would answer with a resounding Yes. But here Jesus says emphatically, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword (v. 34). If the disciples were confused about the choice before them, of having peace with men or peace with God, Jesus makes it clear that He is not concerned about them having peace with men. There is a peace that He does bring and gives to men, but it is the inner peace a true disciple can have when their trust is completely in Him. The peace He brings is not necessarily the absence of conflict, but rather it is reconciliation to God. The inevitable result of Jesus own mission was, and still is, to bring division or separation, between those who embrace the message of His mission and those who reject it. This separation, although it can be painful, is even felt between father and child, mother and daughter, etc. 10:37-39 Jesus says His followers must choose to love Him more than even fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. Anyone who does not make that choice is not worthy of being a disciple. In fact, anyone wanting to follow Him must take his cross and follow. This idea to His disciples would bring to mind the many crucifixions they had witnessed in their Roman world. 5

6 After watching Jesus suffer His cross they would have understood that it meant they too must be willing to suffer unjustly. They eventually came to understand that He willingly gave His life, and they may be asked to do the same thing (John 10:11; 15:13). 10:40-42 When a disciple fully surrenders his life to Jesus He then becomes a true representative of the Master. He becomes an ambassador for the Lord and His message. If the audience they are addressing rejects them or their message it is tantamount to rejecting Jesus. He tells His disciples that not only do they receive Me when they receive you, but he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. This is true because God the Father is the true authority behind the mission. There is reward for receiving those who are truly sent by God. The term in the name of means in the capacity of. The prophet must be received as a prophet, or a righteous man in the full capacity of a righteous man, and receive the full respect and treatment of such a prophet or righteous man. In the same way the little ones (v. 42) must be received in the name of or as disciples and treated with the appropriate kindness (See Matt. 18:1-6 for more on little ones being treated with kindness as disciples). To give a cup of cold water was considered to be the least of hospitable acts and almost expected in Jesus day and territory. It is also something that almost anybody could do. You didn t have to be rich to offer a cup of cold water to someone. Yet even this act of simple kindness will not go unrewarded when done for a child, disciple, prophet, or righteous man for the Lord s sake. The general message here is that Jesus is seriously concerned about those sent in His name and those who are truly His disciples. He will make sure anyone showing acts of kindness to them will receive their due reward. 11:1 After giving these instructions to the twelve Jesus departed from His home town to teach and preach in their cities. It seems that Jesus sent the twelve into His hometown area because He was not received by those people who knew Him previously (See Matt. 13:57 and the previous section). Now He is going to preach and teach in the cities of the twelve, possibly meaning their home town areas. Most likely He recognizes that they would not have any respect or authority in their own towns for the same reason He had none in Nazareth. John the Baptist Beheaded, Herod Fears He Has Risen Matthew 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9 The particular Herod mentioned here was Herod Antipas. He was the youngest son of Herod the Great by his Samaritan wife, Malthake. Herod the Great was the son of the Idumean (Edomite) politician Antipater, and was declared King of the Jews in 40 B.C. by the Roman Senate on a motion by Mark Antony and Octavian. It never sat well with the Jews that an Edomite was declared to be their king, and it was probably seen as partial fulfillment of God s promise of Leviticus 26:17 that when Israel disobeyed His statutes those who hate you will rule 6

7 over you (See also Psalm 106:40-43). So Herod s son Antipas was the son of an Edomite and a Samaritan making it doubly hard for Jews to tolerate him. Herod Antipas fell in love with his niece and brother s wife, Herodias, while staying with his brother, Herod Philip, in Rome. Herodias was the daughter of another brother, Aristobulus, and had married her uncle Philip. Antipas and Herodias each divorced their spouses and married each other. This series of events caught the ire of the Jews and compelled John the Baptist to decry the actions of Antipas making the two mortal enemies (Mt. 14:4-5, Mk 6:18). Herod had broken Jewish law by marrying his brother s wife (Lev. 18:16, 20:21), so John s condemnation of him would represent the popular Jewish opinion. However, Herod would probably see John s public outcry against him as political sedition and see the need to stop it. John s stand not only aggravated Herod, but perhaps more significantly, caused Herodias to loathe John and desire to kill him (Mk 6:19). Herod was afraid of John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe (Mk 6:20) until a strategic day came (v. 21) when Herodias took advantage of Herod s birthday and had her daughter dance for Herod and his guests. The girl was so good she aroused Herod and the leading men of Galilee (v. 21) and elicited a promise from Herod to give her anything she wanted up to half my kingdom (v. 23). Herodias quickly took advantage of this promise and used it to bring John s life to an end as she had wanted to do all along (Mk 6:19), by having her daughter request the head of John the Baptist on a platter (v. 24). The death of John marks with certainty the end of his ministry, and the recognition of this by his disciples, who buried John s body and came to report all these events to Jesus (Mt 14:12). John s disciples had been filtering over to follow Jesus from early on (John 1:35-37), and now most of John s close disciples would stay with Jesus. Other disciples of John were in various places, and living among the Jews as orthodox Jews (Mk 2:18), and without the full knowledge of the Holy Spirit until they were visited by Paul and others (Acts 18:23; 19:1-5). The Disciples Return and Withdraw with Jesus to Bethsaida Matt 14:13; Mk 6:30-32; Luke 9:10; Jn 6:1 Luke tells us that after the disciples returned from their mission to Nazareth they withdrew to a city called Bethsaida (9:10), which was a fishing village on the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. Matthew says that when the multitudes heard that He was withdrawing they followed Him on foot which probably means He was walking from Nazareth when they were following. Once back at the Sea they withdrew even more from the crowd in the boat to a lonely place by themselves (Mk 6:32). We are not told exactly where this lonely place was, however, John gives us a clue that it was near Tiberias (6:23). Jesus was aware the disciples needed rest and He was watching over them by making sure they got it. It could have been here, or even while traveling, that the apostles gave an account to Him of all that they had done (Luke 9:10). Jesus Teaches and Heals the Multitude Mattew 14:14; Mark 6:33-34; Luke 9:11; John 6:2 7

8 All four writers tell us that a crowd of people followed Jesus and His disciples in spite of their attempts to get away for a while. Mark says the people saw them leaving, somehow figured where they were going and ran to get there ahead of them (v. 33). Perhaps the quiet voyage across the Sea of Galilee was the only rest they actually got. By the time they reached their destination there was a great multitude waiting for them (Mk 6:34). Jesus got off the boat and began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing (Luke 9:11). Mark says He did this because He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd (v. 34). Perhaps, too, it was an opportunity for His disciples to rest a little longer while He ministered to the crowd. This was not the only time Jesus saw people as sheep without a shepherd (Mt. 9:36). Without a shepherd sheep lose their sense of direction and wander aimlessly falling into deception and affliction (Zech. 10:2). They eventually lose their ability to care for themselves and end up scattered and vulnerable to predators (1 Kings 22:17, Ez. 34:5). It is the shepherd s job to protect them and lead them to water and food (Ps. 23). In times of disobedience and rebellion there is a lack of shepherds to feed people with knowledge and understanding (Jer. 3:12-15). When Moses was about to die he spoke to the Lord on behalf of Israel that He would appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them and who will lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd (Num. 27:17). Jesus saw the multitudes of His day as sheep without someone to guide them and feed them with understanding. He saw them vulnerable to deception and prey for the enemy, so He was moved with compassion. When Jesus saw people who were uncared for in this way, He healed their sick (Mt. 14:14) and began to teach them many things (Mk 6:34). Jesus Feeds 5,000 with 5 Loaves and 2 Fish Matt 14:15-21; Mark 6:35-44; Luke 9:12-17; John 6:3-14 Matthew, Mark, and Luke all say the disciples came to Jesus near the end of the day and entreated Him to send the multitude away so they could find lodging and get something to eat (Luke 9:12). They were concerned because they were in a desolate place and had nothing to feed everyone. Additionally they were still weary from their mission they had recently finished (See Jesus Commissions Disciples to Preach and Heal, pg. 2 above) and most likely did not want to be responsible for so many people. John relates the story from the Lord s perspective telling us that Jesus asked Philip, Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat? (John 6:5). He asked this question already knowing what He was intending to do (v. 6). Philip s response here is the same as the disciple s in Mark 6:37, Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little (John 6:7). Two hundred denarii would have been almost a year s wage for an average worker, and it was still not enough, so the disciples had no idea how they could possibly feed so great a multitude. The setting for the story, as presented by John, is interesting. It was time for the feast of the Jews (v.4), which was the Passover. Many Jews and proselytes (those converted to Judaism) 8

9 would be making the trip to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover there. But because Jesus was performing signs and healing sick people this multitude followed Him to this lonely place (Jn 6:2). They had walked and run from Bethsaida, on the northeastern shore of the Sea, around the top of the Sea and down to the lower western shore to the city of Tiberias, to be where Jesus was going. We know from Mark that when Jesus saw them they looked to Him like sheep without a shepherd (Mk 6:34), and He felt compassion for them. Because of this, and with the Passover being celebrated in Jerusalem, Jesus decides He and His disciples should celebrate a feast with the multitude. The irony of the picture is that those wishing to follow their religion were in Jerusalem partaking of the Paschal lamb, which symbolized the true Lamb of God, while He was on the shores of the Sea celebrating with those who chose to be with Him. He was the One whose body and blood were to be sacrificed to give life to those who believe and follow Him. Jesus tells His disciples, You give them something to eat (Mk 6:37). After making search they report to Him that, We have here only five loaves and two fish (Mt 14:17). John tells us they were barley loaves and fish they found with a boy in the crowd (v. 8). John also points out that it was Peter s brother, Andrew, who said to Jesus, What are these for so many people? (v. 9). Jesus had asked Philip where they could get enough food to feed all these people to test him, it says in John 6:6. It seems Jesus was testing their faith at this point. They had recently returned from their mission where we can assume they saw people healed and delivered from demons because of the power they had been given by Jesus (Mt. 10:1). Jesus is now testing them to see if their faith is strong and also training them for their future roles as those who will be responsible for feeding lost sheep (See John 21:15-17). He is about to reveal His heart toward people, and also demonstrate the provision of God in meeting the needs of lost sheep who come to Him in hope of receiving from God. This is a lesson they will need to learn well, and put complete trust in God s provision to them and through them. Jesus saw in the five loaves and two fish what He needed to meet the needs of the multitude. He knew God would take the little bit they had and use it to meet every need there. This is a confidence we can have when we know we are doing the works which the Father has given (us) to accomplish (Jn 5:36). Mark and John give a picture of the people sitting down on a bed of green plush grass in companies of hundreds and fifties (Mk 6:39-40) in number about five thousand (Jn 6:10). Women and children in the East would have been seated at a respectful distance from the heads of the families, and only the men would have been counted. Most probably in all there were ten to fifteen thousand people who were fed. After the people are seated Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people (Mk 6:41). All four gospel writers point out that Jesus fed the people after having given thanks (Jn 6:11). To the multitude and to the disciples it would seem as though the act of giving thanks is what caused God to act and produce the miracle, which is perhaps what they believed (See Jn 6:23). Jesus knew that He was doing the Father s work, and that the Father would produce whatever was needed to fulfill that work. 9

10 In this place of offering thanks and passing out the bread, Jesus would be seen as fulfilling the position of the head of the family, who would play this role at all meals, and especially the Passover meal. Jesus would be viewed by the multitude as fulfilling the role of head of the family. We can also see the foreshadow of His body being broken and distributed by the disciples as the covenant sacrifice for the people (See John 6:35; Mt 26:26). Interestingly, the people were able to eat as much as they wanted (Jn 6:11), and there was more left over. What a contrast to Philip s question, five loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people? (v.9) Jesus tells the disciples to Gather up the leftover fragments that nothing may be lost (Jn 6:12). We can see that Jesus viewed the miracle as the provision of God, and it was not to be undervalued or taken for granted. God had graciously blessed them, and Jesus had given thanks for the provision, so nothing should be lost of it. It is possible the disciples each had a basket of sorts for their journey as was customary, and they were able to fill all twelve baskets with fragments. God had not only provided for the needs of the moment, but had given provision for the future as well. The result of this miracle is that the people come to the conclusion that Jesus is the Prophet who is to come into the world (Jn 6:14). Moses had promised that God would one day raise up for you a prophet like me from among you (Dt 18:15-18). The people of Judea understood this prophet to be like Moses in the sense that he would deliver them from their enemies. They were ready at this time to take Jesus and appoint Him king over them, and follow Him to their deliverance (6:15). Like many of the day, they did not understand that the Messiah would come to deliver, but it would be from enemies other than human oppressors. He had come to deliver them from sin and the power of Satan. 10