Scripture:
Matthew 14:13-21 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Feeding 5,000
13 When Jesus heard about it, (A) He withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. When the crowds heard this, they followed Him on foot from the towns. 14 As He stepped ashore, [a] He saw a huge crowd, felt compassion for them, and healed their sick. (B)
15 When evening came, the disciples (C) approached Him and said, "This place is a wilderness, and it is already late. [b] Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves."
16 "They don't need to go away," Jesus told them. "You give them something to eat."
17 "But we only have five loaves and two fish here," they said to Him.
18 "Bring them here to Me," He said. 19 Then He commanded the crowds to sit down [c] on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the crowds. (D) 20 Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up 12 baskets full of leftover pieces! (E) 21 Now those who ate were about 5,000 men, besides women and children.
Footnotes:
Matthew 14:14 Lit Coming out (of the boat)
Matthew 14:15 Lit and the time (for the evening meal) has already passed
Matthew 14:19 Lit to recline
Cross references:
Matthew 14:13 : Mk 6:32-44; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-13;
Matthew 14:14 : Mt 4:23; 9:36;
Matthew 14:15 : Mt 10:1;, 26:56; Mk 3:7; 16:20; Lk 6:13; Jn 12:16;
Matthew 14:19 : 1Sm 9:13; Mt 26:26; Mk 8:7; 14:22; Lk 24:30; Ac 27:35;
Matthew 14:20 : Mt 16:9; Mk 6:43; 8:19; Lk 9:17; Jn 6:13;
Reflection:
How do you treat those who make unexpected demands on you? When Jesus and the disciples sought a lonely place to regroup and rest, they found instead a crowd of more than five thousand people waiting for them! Did they resent this intrusion on their hard-earned need for privacy and refreshment? Jesus certainly didn't but welcomed them with open-arms. Jesus put human need ahead of everything else. His compassion showed the depths of God's love and concern for all who are truly needy. Jesus gave the people the word of God and he healed them physically as well as spiritually. We can never intrude upon God nor exhaust his generosity and kindness. He is ever ready to give to those who earnestly seek him out. Do you thirst for his saving word and for his healing power?
Why did Jesus command his disciples to do what seemed impossible-- to feed such a large and hungry crowd when there were no adequate provisions in sight? Jesus, no doubt wanted to teach them to rely upon God for their provision. The signs which Jesus did, including the miraculous feeding of the five thousand signified that God the Father had indeed sent his only begotten Son as the anointed Prophet and King for his people. Jesus' feeding of the five thousand is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. What is the significance of this miracle? The miraculous feeding of such a great multitude pointed to God's provision of manna in the wilderness for the people of Israel under Moses' leadership. This food foreshadowed the true heavenly bread which Jesus would offer his followers. Jesus makes a claim only God can make: He is the true bread of heaven that can satisfy the deepest hunger we experience. The feeding of the five thousand shows the remarkable generosity of God and his great kindness towards us. When God gives, he gives abundantly. He gives more than we need for ourselves that we may have something to share with others, especially those who lack what they need. God takes the little we have and multiplies it for the good of others. Do you trust in God's provision for you and do you share freely with others, especially those who lack?
Prayer For The Day:
Lord Jesus Christ, you satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts and you feed us with the finest of wheat (Psalm 81:16). Fill me with gratitude for your blessings and give me a generous heart that I may freely share with others what you have given to me.
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