Tag: Matthew 14
Multiply the bread!
Scripture reading for January 20: Matthew 14
“Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and by food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to Him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces left over.” Matthew 14:15-20
My mother was a great cook and always seemed to believe that whatever she had could be made to serve those present. My dad always invited people working or visiting our farm to eat with us. Some salesmen stopped by right at lunch time because of this! Mom would set more places and I believe God multiplied the bread on many occasions!
Jesus had a crowd of five thousand men plus women and children who had been with Him all day. Evening was approaching and the disciples suggested that Jesus send the people away to find food and lodging. Jesus wanted to expand their understanding of how God the Father cares for people and would use them to provide miraculously. He asked that the five loaves of bread and two fish be brought to Him. He then blessed the provision, broke it apart and gave it to the disciples in baskets. They began the distribution. As they gave the bread out, their baskets never emptied! In fact, when they were done feeding all the people, there were twelve baskets full of bread collected from left overs!
Does this story challenge your view of God’s ability to use you in supplying the needs of hurting or hungry people? What principle of God can you think of that accounts for this multiplication of bread? Has God ever used you to multiply provisions?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for seeing our needs and providing in ways that stretch our world view. Thank You for involving us in this amazing process. I am willing to be used to show Your amazing supply to those in need. Amen!
Listen to the Master!
Scripture reading for January 20th: Matthew 14
Key Scriptures: Matthew 14:14-16 “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away, you give them something to eat.”
Would you rather give orders or take them? Of course we like to give orders! We have been conditioned by our world, culture, and sin-nature to want to be in control. The original disciples were no different. They came to Jesus with a plan to take care of a huge crowd of people as darkness was fast approaching. They had figured it all out–just sent them away before dark to find bread in the villages!
But Jesus had orders of His own! He turned the tables on His disciples and told them to take care of them by feeding them right on the site! He did this immediately following His own bout with grief over the execution of His cousin, John the Baptist. He had compassion on the multitude! Love moved Him to motivate His disciples and send them out to feed this multitude of over 5000 men plus women and children! Taking the meager resources available, these two loaves of bread and five fish were blessed and broken and given to the disciples. As they gave them away, they multiplied in their hands to feed the multitude with much left over!
Observations for over-comers: Jesus set the example of serving and calls His disciples to listen to the Master and do what He says. This will result in an overflowing abundance! “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withhold unduly, but comes to poverty. The generous man will prosper and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:24-25)
John the Baptist risen from the dead?
Scripture reading for January 20th: Matthew 14
“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” (Matthew 14:1-2) Even the government officials who were not Jews developed opinions about Jesus and His miraculous powers! Herod had a guilty conscience about killing John the Baptist at the request of his bother’s wife and daughter. He knew the Jews considered him a prophet. Now he deduced that John had come back from the dead in the person of Jesus. Who is this Man? That question decides life and death, heaven and hell!
Jesus withdrew upon hearing of John’s death and performed many miracles and fed five thousand men and a larger number of women and children with five loaves of bread and two fishes. After picking up the left-over’s, Jesus sent the disciples on ahead in a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. He went to pray by Himself. “During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:25-27) Peter even left the boat and walked to Jesus as His bidding before sinking in the waves. Jesus demonstrated to His disciples another aspect of who He was! He was not a ghost, but one who had control of the wind and waves!
Jesus wants to reveal the Truth to all who will receive! He is more that a resurrected prophet! He is more than a “holy ghost”! He is the Son of God and Lord who saves us!