Holistic Healing from Jesus - 'Jesus in Jerusalem'
Lent Study 4
Miraculous healing near the sea of Galilee
(6:5-14)
I. Introduction:
There are 2 miraculous signs related to the place sea of Galilee mentioned in John:
Feeding the 5,000 near the Sea of Galilee (6:5-14)
Walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee (6:16-21)
About the sea of Galilee
- What did Jesus do at and near the Sea of Galilee?
walking on water, calming the storm and feeding the multitude. Galilee also was the home of our Lord during at least thirty years of his life. It connected with the life, works, and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth.
- How big is Sea of Galilee? 166 km²- Generally people say it takes about 2 hours to cross the Sea of Galilee.
- Is the Sea of Galilee really a sea? It is not a real sea - it is called a sea because of tradition.
- What does Tiberias mean in Hebrew?: Good vision,
- Tabgha: It is an area situated on the north-western shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. It is traditionally accepted as the place of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes (John 6) and the fourth resurrection appearance of Jesus (John 21) after His Crucifixion. Pilgrims usually visit the Church of the multiplication in Tabgha
- Discussion in groups: Could you please share your experiences in and around the sea in the world.
Have you been to the sea of Galilee, if so please share what difference it made to you.
II. Exploring the Sign, Story and Surprise from the account of the miracle Feeding 5000 to understand the holistic healing in Jesus’ ministry.
- A large crowd
- Six months’ wages
- five barley loaves and two fish
- about five thousand
- twelve baskets
story:
- The Feeding the multitude is two separate miracles of Jesus reported in the Gospels. The first miracle, the "Feeding of the 5,000", is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 14-Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6-Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9-Luke 9:12-17; John 6-John 6:1-14).
- The second miracle, the "Feeding of the 4,000", with seven loaves of bread and fish, is reported by Matthew 15 (Matthew 15:32-39) and Mark 8 (Mark 8:1-9), but not by Luke or John. Some thoughts on today's scripture
The evangelist links the miracle with the mission of Jesus and the Eucharist: Jesus took the bread, gave thanks and gave the bread to the people inviting them to take as much as they needed.
Jesus once said that he came so that we may have life and life in abundance, and this is so evident in this miracle: Everybody ate as much as they wanted, and there were twelve baskets of leftovers, much more than the amount they started with. This multiplication of the loaves repeatedly reminding us of the abundant life and the grace of gratitude that we experience from Jesus.
Surprise
- Jesus didn’t have concern about the number of the crowd, but He was ready to give thanks for a little given in His hands
- At the end the disciples gathered up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost
The portrayal of Jesus from Mark to John is different
less miraculous …in Mark
Jesus is the messiah…in John
The abundance of food:
The people were satisfied…..Mark 6:42
The people ate as much as they wanted ….John 6:11
John is focusing “Jesus is the bread of life
He teaches us to be good stewards”
Walking with Jesus gives us abundant life Whatever little we have God can use that ‘little’ to glorify His name through our lives
Matthew 14:13-21;
Mark 6:31-44;
Luke 9:12-17;
Discussion
1. Read one of the Gospels above and found out one or two differences from John 6:1-14
2. What are the actions of Jesus appealing to you from the Feeding of 5000?