Read Matthew 14.
Great crowds were now following Jesus. It was not only His teaching that drew them, but He "had compassion on them and healed their sick" (v.14). With the day nearly spent, the disciples became concerned that the people needed to be dispersed for supper. They may have been just as concerned about their own lack of food. Jesus' response seems terse but, as always, He had a much better plan.
This incident provides a blueprint for how God may work and meet the needs of ministry that He wants accomplished.
1. "You give them something to eat." (v.16)
Jesus was not being unkind in using such a sharp comeback to the disciples. He knew what He would do. This was meant to make the disciples do some analysis of their own and come to the realization that they could not meet the needs of the people. When we reach the end of ourselves we then are ready to cast our full dependence upon the Lord.
2. "We have only five loaves here and two fish." (v.17)
They did exactly what Jesus wanted them to do. Indeed, the use of the pronoun "we" refers to what their efforts. From the other Gospel accounts we learn that the food actually belonged to a young lad in the crowd. The sum of their resources amounted to less than a drop in the bucket compared to what was required to meet the immediate need.
3. "Bring them here to me." (v.18)
When we do not know what to do, Jesus wants us to come to Him for help. On our own, we cannot live in a manner that pleases God and meets the true needs of others. Jesus said, "Without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). James 1:5 states that God desires to give us wisdom without making us feel foolish, if we will completely trust Him. The throne of grace is instantly available to believers today "that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
4. "He ordered the crowds to sit down." (v.19)
Again, from the other Gospels, we learn that He ordered the people to sit in numbered groups. One of the reasons God does not give some churches greater opportunity to reach people for Christ and serve their community is that they are not organized to do so. Without some structure for distributing the food, this could have turned to chaos.
5. "He looked up to heaven and said a blessing." (v.19)
Once they were ready, Jesus stopped to pray. He gave thanks for what they had and asked the Father to add His blessing. Without intentionally seeking God's favor, with thanksgiving, how can anyone expect to experience God's blessings? (Philippians 4:6)
6. "He broke the loaves." (v.19)
Talk about acting in faith! Jesus did not wait until they had all the resources to begin distributing what they had. He prayed and then acted, anticipating the miracle that would take place. Concerning generosity giving when resources are limited, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have." (2 Corinthians 8:12)
7. "The disciples gave them to the crowds." (v.19)
These men had to think it strange that with such sparse resources they would attempt this incredible task. But they did. Their faith was not blind. They were being obedient to the assignment Jesus had given them. Only then would they get to see a miracle. If we wait until we have all we think we need before obeying God, we can become disobedient and miss what God intended in us and for others.
8. "They all ate and were satisfied." (v.20)
A little boy's lunch was all they could find. A miracle happened! The needs of thousands were met. We never know what God will do when we simply give Him what we have.
Great crowds were now following Jesus. It was not only His teaching that drew them, but He "had compassion on them and healed their sick" (v.14). With the day nearly spent, the disciples became concerned that the people needed to be dispersed for supper. They may have been just as concerned about their own lack of food. Jesus' response seems terse but, as always, He had a much better plan.
This incident provides a blueprint for how God may work and meet the needs of ministry that He wants accomplished.
1. "You give them something to eat." (v.16)
Jesus was not being unkind in using such a sharp comeback to the disciples. He knew what He would do. This was meant to make the disciples do some analysis of their own and come to the realization that they could not meet the needs of the people. When we reach the end of ourselves we then are ready to cast our full dependence upon the Lord.
2. "We have only five loaves here and two fish." (v.17)
They did exactly what Jesus wanted them to do. Indeed, the use of the pronoun "we" refers to what their efforts. From the other Gospel accounts we learn that the food actually belonged to a young lad in the crowd. The sum of their resources amounted to less than a drop in the bucket compared to what was required to meet the immediate need.
3. "Bring them here to me." (v.18)
When we do not know what to do, Jesus wants us to come to Him for help. On our own, we cannot live in a manner that pleases God and meets the true needs of others. Jesus said, "Without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). James 1:5 states that God desires to give us wisdom without making us feel foolish, if we will completely trust Him. The throne of grace is instantly available to believers today "that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
4. "He ordered the crowds to sit down." (v.19)
Again, from the other Gospels, we learn that He ordered the people to sit in numbered groups. One of the reasons God does not give some churches greater opportunity to reach people for Christ and serve their community is that they are not organized to do so. Without some structure for distributing the food, this could have turned to chaos.
5. "He looked up to heaven and said a blessing." (v.19)
Once they were ready, Jesus stopped to pray. He gave thanks for what they had and asked the Father to add His blessing. Without intentionally seeking God's favor, with thanksgiving, how can anyone expect to experience God's blessings? (Philippians 4:6)
6. "He broke the loaves." (v.19)
Talk about acting in faith! Jesus did not wait until they had all the resources to begin distributing what they had. He prayed and then acted, anticipating the miracle that would take place. Concerning generosity giving when resources are limited, the Apostle Paul wrote, "For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have." (2 Corinthians 8:12)
7. "The disciples gave them to the crowds." (v.19)
These men had to think it strange that with such sparse resources they would attempt this incredible task. But they did. Their faith was not blind. They were being obedient to the assignment Jesus had given them. Only then would they get to see a miracle. If we wait until we have all we think we need before obeying God, we can become disobedient and miss what God intended in us and for others.
8. "They all ate and were satisfied." (v.20)
A little boy's lunch was all they could find. A miracle happened! The needs of thousands were met. We never know what God will do when we simply give Him what we have.
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