FOUR THOUSAND (4,000) IN THE BIBLE
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. Number FOUR THOUSAND in the Bible
a) Those who had eaten were about four thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 15:28)
b) In the gospels, there are two feeding stories. Luke and John record only the feeding of the five thousand. However, Matthew and Mark record both stories. The feeding of the five thousand should not be confused with the feeding of the four thousand. They are two independent feeding stories. Close study reveals that while the two feeding stories are similar, they are quite different.
c) For example, as its number indicates the feeding of the four thousand was to a much smaller crowd. Jesus seems amazed that the disciples, having witnessed the feeding of the Jewish crowd of five thousand doubted his ability to feed the smaller Gentile crowd.
d) Also, when Jesus fed the Gentile crowd, He simply "gives thanks" among people who would not be familiar with the Jewish tradition as He did in the feeding of the five thousand. This should remind us that Jesus extends his saving mission beyond his own Jewish heritage in a way that's welcoming to all.
e) Two important characteristics of Christ can be seen in the feeding of the four thousand: the compassion of Christ and the creativity of Christ. The multitude had followed Jesus for three days and ended up in the wilderness far from a store to buy food. Jesus had compassion on all those people and multiplied what was available to feed all of them before He sent them away.
f) Jesus assures us that "blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Let's follow Him so that He will feed us until we want no more!
The End ...
1. Number FOUR THOUSAND in the Bible a) Those who had eaten were about four thousand men, besides women and children. (Matthew 15:28)
b) In the gospels, there are two feeding stories. Luke and John record only the feeding of the five thousand. However, Matthew and Mark record both stories. The feeding of the five thousand should not be confused with the feeding of the four thousand. They are two independent feeding stories. Close study reveals that while the two feeding stories are similar, they are quite different.
c) For example, as its number indicates the feeding of the four thousand was to a much smaller crowd. Jesus seems amazed that the disciples, having witnessed the feeding of the Jewish crowd of five thousand doubted his ability to feed the smaller Gentile crowd.
d) Also, when Jesus fed the Gentile crowd, He simply "gives thanks" among people who would not be familiar with the Jewish tradition as He did in the feeding of the five thousand. This should remind us that Jesus extends his saving mission beyond his own Jewish heritage in a way that's welcoming to all.
e) Two important characteristics of Christ can be seen in the feeding of the four thousand: the compassion of Christ and the creativity of Christ. The multitude had followed Jesus for three days and ended up in the wilderness far from a store to buy food. Jesus had compassion on all those people and multiplied what was available to feed all of them before He sent them away.
f) Jesus assures us that "blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Let's follow Him so that He will feed us until we want no more!
Comments
Post a Comment