Summary of passage: The people began to believe Jesus was the Messiah after all the miraculous signs Jesus had done so Jesus withdrew to a mountain by himself.
Questions:
8 ) Part personal Question. My answer: Because they believed him to be the Promised Messiah of the Bible (Deuteronomy 18:15,18) who would provide food and water like Moses did in the wilderness. However, they expected much more than this. Many people follow Jesus for what they can get from him. I follow Jesus because he is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to God and to eternal life.
9) Part personal Question. My answer: Jesus did this to rejuvenate after giving so much of himself as we saw (and were asked) in Lesson 8 Day 2 before the feeding of the 5000. He also did this to avoid his enemies who are after him. He went to be alone to pray and be closer to God, His Father. Matthew 26:41 tells us he did it so as not to fall into temptation. The same. We must quiet our lives and mind in order to hear God and rejuvenate and be closer to Him.
Conclusions: The take away here is to love Jesus in the good and the bad. Many were converted when Jesus was providing and healing. Many flee when hardship enters their lives. Jesus left because the people only wanted Jesus to do things for them on earth. Jesus wants to do things for us in heaven and forever. He is there always as our heavenly king. We turn to him always. We retreat to be with him when this world becomes too harried. We walk with him together, never away.
End Notes: The feeding of the 5000 reminded all of Moses and his providing of manna for the people in the desert. In Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses himself predicted the coming of the Prophet. The people assumed he would be like Moses and here’s a guy feeding people miraculously. Surely, this is he!
Jesus gave away free food. Of course he was loved. We love Jesus too when he gives. We must love him for who he is as well.
The people wanted him as their king to save them from Rome. Jesus was not here to be a king to set the Jewish people free from Rome, which was the widely held view of the people. He’s a different kind of king that the people have missed in Scripture. Hence, he withdrew to be with his King, God. Earthly kings hold no allure.
