Matthew 14:13-21

Read MATTHEW 14:13-21!

 

This one might be a little different.  I am honestly not someone will wow with great words or astonish with an awesome sermon.  I know what the Bible means to me and who Jesus is to me.  This scripture in Matthew is, to me one of the more intriguing parts of the New Testament.  It’s a very direct teaching, to me, of God’s timing, compassion, and provision.

Jesus had become pretty popular by this time.  He knew of Herod’s intentions and sought to leave.  Not because he was afraid or because he was trying to escape the wrath of Herod, but he knew it wasn’t time yet.  He understood the Fathers plan and timing.  The people sought him out when they heard he was leaving.  He could get away from Herod, but the attention of the multitudes was another story! 

I can’t say I know, but only can imagine how Jesus felt when he saw all of these people coming after him.  He DID have compassion on them, as he went right away to healing their sick. He was looking for solitude, and there were people there who were seeking of what he could give them.   What stands out to me is the fact that even though Jesus knows Herod’s intentions, He did his work.  He stayed the course.  He healed, he ministered, he was Jesus to those who needed him. 

His provision as we all know came from the feeding of the multitudes with the five loaves of bread and two fish.  How great of a miracle this was!  His disciples wanted to turn the people away so they could go and get something to eat.  Jesus instead challenged them to feed them.  Like we do in life so many times, the disciples look at what they had right in front of them, or as we do, our circumstances right in front of us and said, it’s impossible.  Jesus is in the business of taking our circumstances and using them for the good.  We have to let him take our bread and fish and multiply it!  He so often uses what we have, I liken it to clay, and molds it into a great and wonderful blessing! When Jesus prayed over what they had so little of, He didn’t ask the Father to multiply it to a great number, to make it expand so that it would be enough, he simply gave thanks for what God had given them, and KNEW the Father would provide.  There was even enough to take up after the feeding was through.  To me, the symbolism here is not that Jesus will only give us the exact amount we need, but so often, if we take the time to see it, he gives us way more than we even expected.  He blesses us beyond belief.  Let’s not waste anything Jesus blesses us with.

Time of reflection:

If I can ask you to take anything from this scripture, it’s to understand those three points, His timing, compassion and provision.

 Gods timing is not ours.  Ask yourself, am I waiting on God, or am I trying to make things happen in my own time and way.  Isaiah 40:31, Psalms 27:13-14, Proverbs 3:5-6

God loves us.  Even when Jesus was seeking to be alone, he took the time to heal the people, to have communion with them, and to fellowship with them.  He has compassion on you and seeks to ease your pain and help your burden.  Mark 6:34, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, 2 Peter 3:9

God will provide.  Like Pastor Shannon told us just this past Sunday, He might not give you a new Cadillac or  new Jet, but He WILL give you what you need! 2 Cor. 9:8, Psalm 37,25-26, John 3:16.

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  MITCHELL SANCHEZ is the husband of 5 years to Tonya, and Dad to 2.  He works in the I.T. Department at Education First F.C.U.  Mitchell attends Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas ,where he plays the drums on the Praise Team and serves as Director of the Media Department.