Making disciples is perhaps the most significant command required by Jesus–certainly the most important one to effectively spread the Gospel. We are commanded to go and make disciples of all nations, but Jesus’ response to these men does little to encourage them to become disciples–they failed the first test. Very interesting to unpack this short scripture.
Matthew 8:19-22, Luke 9:57-62
Second prediction of Jesus’ death and resurrection
In the midst of excitement, Jesus explains his death and resurrection, but the disciples “did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” It’s easy to relate to their confusion here. Read, pray, grow.
Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43b-45
Healing of a demon-possessed boy and unbelief rebuked
The disciples were not able to drive out the demon from a boy, so Jesus has to step in and take care of the issue. But there’s a broader issue at stake here: complete faith. Memorable quotes like “Faith of a mustard seed to move a mountain,” and “everything is possible” for those who truly believe come from this passage.
Matthew 17:14-20, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43a
Coming of the Son of Man and judgment
Speaking to his disciples, Jesus tells them they will “see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom,” but what does this actually mean? There are a wide array of interpretations worthy of diving into: Transfiguration, Resurrection, Pentecost, birth of the new Church. The language agrees across the Synoptics, so we need to look carefully at this passage.
Matthew 16:27-28, Mark 8:38-9:1, Luke 9:26-27
First direct prediction of the rejection, crucifixion and resurrection
Just when things seemed to be going well, Jesus begins to teach his disciples about the end of his presence among them. Peter’s reaction and Jesus’ rebuke are documented by Matthew and Mark. The business of Christ is serious, not for the faint of heart.
Matthew 16:21-26, Mark 8:31-37, Luke 9:22-25
Peter’s identification of Jesus as the Messiah and first prophecy of the church
Who do you say that I am? Peter spoke for the disciples: You are the Messiah.
Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-21
It’s not about the bread, are you dense?
If the topic weren’t so serious, this passage would make me laugh–ok, it did, I confess. The disciples forgot to stock up for the trip, someone forgot to gather bread, while Jesus continues to teach. They were on two completely separate trains of thought!
Matthew 16:5-12, Mark 8:13-21
Defection among the disciples
Jesus challenges those who call themselves disciples to rethink what they’re doing, who he really is and what they really believe. This is a turning point. John 6:60-71
Discourse on the true bread of life
Jesus and the disciples slip away from the crowds. They find them in Capernaum and as Jesus for clarification. The answer is probably not what they expected.
John 6:22-59
Feeding the 5,000
One of the few miracles covered by all four Gospels, Jesus steps in and feeds a huge crowd. The Disciples hadn’t eaten, and it was getting late. Jesus understands these difficulties and chooses to feed the crowd.
Matthew 14:15-21, Mark 6:35-44, Luke 9:12-17, John 6:4-13
Mark 6:31 adds an interesting detail: “they did not even have a chance to eat.” It makes me smile when I think about the disciples suggesting to Jesus that they should send the people away so they can eat, after all, it’s getting late (oh, and by the way Jesus, we’re starving). It’s not that they were overly selfish; they were hungry.
Jesus, of course, hears through their concerns and decides it is time to teach them a new lesson. They’ve just returned from their first preaching tour when Jesus tells them to gather whatever food they have to feed the people. Remember, the number 5,000 refers to the men. There were women and children present as well, so the total fed is likely 10,000 or more. The actual number isn’t significant. Nothing short of a miracle was required to feed such a large group.
This is such a significant miracle, but so many try to rationalize it away. Perhaps these reasons are worth pursuing, but I don’t find myself motivated to think about this at this time.
This phrase jumped out to me this morning:
Twelve basketfuls of broken pieces
The Old Testament provides an incredible story of the roller-coaster ups and downs of our ancestors. Is there a story in the symbolism here?
Twelve tribes, broken pieces, leftovers.
It seems that we too often find ourselves as leftover pieces in this broken world. The path on which this country is heading will no doubt continue to break us into smaller and smaller families of Christ. If I understood the prophesies better, I might be able to point to current issues as foreseen by Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel and others. Though much of their words were specifically for Israel, what we see today appears more and more relevant. Sad. Even worse than sad, it’s dangerous. My heart breaks for those who look at God and claim he doesn’t exist. The religion of no religion is beyond foolishness and a cancer that is tearing us apart as a nation and ultimately as a world.