Hey sweet kiddos! We are starting Jesus' year of Passion. The first six months of His passion year we are going to call Withdrawal. Why? Because that is what Jesus did, He withdrew.

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Quick, review it!

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• What is this year called?

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Answer: Passion

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• What were the first six months is called?

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Answer: Withdrawal

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              The marking of Jesus' first year happens with a bang, or shall I say, a slice? John the Baptist had his head cut off by King Herod the Great's son: the Tetrarch. When Jesus hears this news He leaves Capernaum in a boat and takes off. The news affected him greatly. For one, John the Baptist was his cousin, a family member. Secondly, he also knew then that the time for his life is now ticking closer to the end. One last year- one last stretch- one last moment to do what God had called him to do on this Earth.

                So, Jesus left Capernaum and went to the other side. The other side of the lake is governed by a different ruler, it is governed by Phillip, the Tetrarch's brother. Phillip is a nice ruler. As Jesus reaches the other side, just wanting to be alone, He sees that the people have gathered to meet him. Immediately, Jesus is filled with compassion for them. He knows their hurt. He knows their heart. He knows it all and yet at the same time, Jesus is hurting too. But, He looks past his own needs, his own wants and does what is best for the people. He gives once more of Himself.

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Have you ever done that?

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                Have you ever felt hungry? Or, as my nephew would say, "Mimi, I'm starving!" It is lunch time at school and you just can't wait to dig into your food. But, then you realize your friend forgot their lunch. What to do...  What to do... You do what any child would do that was hungry, you ate it all. Just kidding! You shared your lunch with that friend. You might not have been completely full, but you felt compassion toward your friend.

                That is what Jesus did with these people, He gave himself to them. He healed them. He talked with them. He filled up their empty souls with life sustaining bread. He told them about Himself and about God. Then, the disciples started to realize how late it was getting. They looked at Jesus and said, "Send them to the towns so they can buy themselves something to eat." Jesus looks at them and said, "You give them something to eat." Now, this crowd is 5,000 men strong. Did you catch that? Men.  They didn't count women and children back then, so did the numbers exceed that. Can you imagine being told to give them all food?

                  The disciples looked at each other and looked at their food supply and there was no way it was going to cut it. Five loaves of bread and two fish. Mmm, not a good position to be in. But, Jesus does the unthinkable. He asks for the fish and bread blesses it. He breaks it and then divides it up amongst the disciples to give out. Everyone who ate was filled and on top of that they picked up 12 baskets full of leftover pieces. Talk about a miracle. What I want you to notice is this: God made sure every single person there ate and was full. They didn't leave that place hungry. When you meet with God on your own time, it is the same way. You will not leave Him hungry. He is going to fill up that heart of yours to overflowing.

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Do you know another place where Jesus broke bread? 

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                  We know the event as the Last Supper. Jesus thanked God and then broke bread and gave it to his disciples and said, "This is my body, which is broken for you." Notice both of the events, Jesus broke bread. It isn't a coincidence. Jesus was shining a light on this as he fed the 5,000. He wanted his disciples to remember this moment and its significance. 

 

                    What is the significance of the bread? It is his body, which as Jesus said, "is broken for you." This is the reason that your heart will no longer be hungry, it is filled up with Jesus' love and having a relationship with Him.  Have you ever felt like you have been missing something?  That your heart wants something more? You just feel empty? Sweetheart, what you are missing is God in your life. Have you ever played video games all day long and felt a little empty as you went to bed? It is because you were missing God. Don't think for a moment that you are alone in feeling that way. I bet you every single person has felt the same way. I know I have. I miss God when I don't spend time with Him. My heart gets hungry and without getting fed I get grumpy. You do too. Fill up that heart of yours by spending time with God.

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Discussion Questions:

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•  How does your soul get filled up?

 

My soul gets filled up by spending time with God.

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• How did Jesus meet the needs of the 5000 people and does God still do that? If so, give an example!

 

• If your soul is hungry, what are some ways we can fill it?

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1) Prayer: Talk to God and then listen for His reply to you. He does speak back!

2) Bible Time: He often loves to talk to you through His Word!

3) Devotional/ Bible Study: These help to uncover truths in the Bible to fit your personal

hunger issue. For example,  If you need help with the "Fruit of the Spirit" (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, etc.), there is a Bible devotional on it!

4) Praise and Worship- Yes, singing songs to God definitely will fill up that heart of yours.

5) Can you think of anything else?