Red Letter Bible Study--Matthew 14:13-21 (Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15)
The book of Matthew chapter 14 starts out with the death of John the baptizer. When Herod heard about the fame of Jesus, he was sure that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead! Herod had allowed his step-daughter/niece to talk him into having John put to death, because John was openly rebuking Herod for taking his brother's wife as his own. The king was sorry he'd agreed to give her whatever she wanted, but would not go back on his promise because his guests would think less of him. So they beheaded John the Baptist and his disciples buried him. When Jesus heard all of this, He withdrew out in a boat by himself. But the crowd waited for him on the opposite shore When He saw the crowd, He was very moved by their need, and healed them. The disciples asked Jesus to send the crowd home, but Jesus wanted to feed them first. The disciples went and found food, enough to feed 5,000 men, plus women and children, with plenty left over!
Jesus feeding the 5,000 is a familiar "Sunday School" story. Jesus is still reeling from the death of His cousin/prophet/friend, and needs some time alone. So He and His disciples head out on the water, but the crowd figures out their destination and beat them there. When Jesus sees them, He is moved by their willingness to go the extra mile to be with Him, so He heals the sick among them. Jesus is tired and grieving, but His compassion pulled Him out of the desolation that brings. He teaches on the shore and surrounding area until late in the evening. The disciples, I think out of concern for Jesus, ask to send the crowd home, but Jesus wants to feed them first. The disciples look to see what they have (after focusing first on what they DON'T have) and find five loaves and two fish. (Only the book of John mentions the little boy who gives his lunch to Jesus). Jesus takes the food, looks to heaven, blesses the food, and the disciples start to feed the crowd. They had enough leftovers to fill 12 baskets!
This story changes me by teaching me not to be afraid of my human limitations. Jesus is grieved by the death of John the Baptist, and needs some time alone. The disciples look to the crowds and KNOW they do not have what it takes to feed them. I have human limitations, too. I get tired, sad, overwhelmed, worried. I focus on what I don't have more often than on what I do have. But this story also changes me by teaching me not to be afraid to ask Jesus for what I need. He looks at us with the same compassion that moved Him to teach, heal, and feed this crowd. Jesus shouldn't be a "last resort" in our wrestling match with our human limitations. We should run to Him, just like the crowd did, knowing He is a compassionate, loving Rescuer. And while Jesus was meeting the needs of the people, He was teaching the disciples, and us, to put whatever little we have into His hands and watch Him make much of it.
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