Today our focus is on Matthew 14:13-21: “When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.” Here we read Jesus saw that a great throng of people had followed Him and He had compassion on them and was healing their sick. It seems they were so absorbed and engrossed in the ongoing events of the day—Jesus’ teaching and healing– that no one noticed what time it was getting to be. All of a sudden the disciples looked around and saw that it was getting dark.
Scripture tells us they were in a remote location, miles away from the nearest supermarket or fast food establishment. The problem this presented is that it was dinner time and everyone was hungry with no feasible solution. It is at this juncture that we get quite a bit of insight into the mindset of the disciples which was so human to say nothing of being a bit heartless.
Matthew 14:13-21 Explained
Instead of saying to themselves, “Umm, we have many times been privy to Jesus’ miracle-performing powers, and just today He has been healing in front of our very eyes. So perhaps He might be able to provide a viable solution to this predicament.”
Oh no. Their solution—just send everyone away—and let them fend for themselves. And they actually had the audacity to propose their plan to the Lord! You can almost see Him shaking His head and thinking to Himself, “Really? After everything they have witnessed, this is what they come up with?”
So now Jesus is trying to give them a second chance at catching on. In verse 16 He says, “They need not depart; give ye them to eat.” Hint hint. The disciples still do not get it. Their retort—”We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” Can you not hear Christ heaving a loud sigh at this point? Even perhaps muttering under His breath, “How long is it going to take before they discern the obvious?” But the ever patient, forgiving, understanding Master simply said, referring to the loaves and fishes, “Bring them hither to me” in verse 18.
Then as many of you familiar with this narrative already know, Jesus blessed that tiny offering of food and had the disciples serve it to all gathered “about five thousand men, beside women and children” according to verse 21. The Bible says they ate and were satisfied and there were even leftovers. No muss, no fuss. The Lord was in the house!
Two applications to our current time speak to me from this incident. First how often, just like the disciples, when in a dire predicament do we forget how God has come through for us in prior times? How many times do we fail to recall past occurring miracles? Or how often do we struggle to confidently affirm in our hearts if He did it once He can certainly do it again. Different times, different situations, but the same available outcome.
And then consider Jesus’ words: “Bring them hither to me.” Herein lies the secret to experiencing the supernatural workings of an Almighty God. Oh precious reader hear that same Lord lovingly and tenderly saying to you. “Bring them hither to me.”
Whatever the need, whatever the problem, whatever the sin weighing you down, whatever the daunting circumstance just bring it here and watch Him go to work with momentous power.
In closing, I leave you with some of the lyrics to a well-known old hymn called “What a friend we have in Jesus.”
“All our sins and griefs to bear
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged
Can we find a friend so faithful?”
Until we sit down together for our next visit remember: what a Friend we have in Jesus and continue living before God’s face.
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