Four Thousand

Scripture:  Matthew 15:32-39 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

32 Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, “I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way.” 33 The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?” 34 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” They replied, “Seven loaves, and a few small fish.” 35 So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave them to the disciples, who distributed the food to the crowd. 37 They all ate as much as they wanted. Afterward, the disciples picked up seven large baskets of leftover food. 38 There were 4,000 men who were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children. 39 Then Jesus sent the people home, and he got into a boat and crossed over to the region of Magadan. (Matthew 15:32–39 NLT)

This was only a few days after feeding 5000+. Jesus notes that these people have been with him in the wilderness for three days. During that time Jesus has been miraculously healing thousands of people, no doubt teaching them as well, and everyone has run out of food. It must have been an amazing, noisy, dusty scene!

Jesus said, “I feel sorry for these people!” I’ve heard lots of ideas about why Jesus did miracles, why he fed the hungry, why he healed the sick, why he set people free from Satan’s power. Some say it was to prove his power, to validate his “Messiahship.” Maybe, a little. But God didn’t send his Son just to prove he is God, God sent his Son because he “so loved the world!” Jesus was moved with compassion, not ambition!

“How much bread do you have?” Same truth as before, lesson two: What do we have to work with? He took the seven loaves and fish and thanked God for them, and broke them into pieces. He gave the pieces to the disciples to give to the people.

Three takeaways from the story: 1.) What if we start by thanking God for what we have, not just begging God for what we need, or complaining about our lack? 2.) Once again the miracle of multiplication takes place in the hands of the disciples. 3.) Give Jesus what we have, he blesses it and gives it back to us to bless others.

Prayer:

Father, Thanks for this story following close after the “Lunch for 5000” story. Help my friends and me to learn, to relearn, and to retain the lessons of compassion and faith!