Devotional:

“Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them 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 seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.” — Matthew 15:32-38

If you are having déjà vu right now, you are probably not alone. Yes, we have seen a similar miracle to this, the feeding of the 5,000. But these are two separate accounts with some distinct differences. The feeding of the 5,000 was in the Jewish region of Bethsaida at the northern end of the Sea of Galilee; the feeding of the 4,000 was 20-30 miles southeast in a mainly gentile area known as Decapolis.

The first miracle was closer to town. We know this because the disciples suggested they let the people get food and come back. They were in a desolate area and far from any place with food. There are other things in these two miracles with a lot of deeper meaning, like the numbers of loaves and baskets and what they represent, but this is not a thesis on the hidden meanings of the miracles, even though I geek out on that stuff.

We pick up where we left off yesterday, where Jesus was still with the same crowd and had just healed many people who were brought to Him. The people followed Jesus for three days and had no food. These non-believing gentiles saw something in Jesus and didn’t want to leave His presence. They weren’t complaining about being hungry or asking for anything to eat. What they were getting from Jesus was far more satisfying than food. He was sustaining them, but Jesus feared that they would faint once they left to go home because of their lack of nutrition. 

Have you ever forgotten to eat? There have been a few times when I’ve gotten so busy or focused on a task that I’ve looked at my watch and realized it’s 5 pm and I haven’t eaten yet. And as soon as that realization hits me, I am suddenly starving, but five minutes ago I wasn’t hungry at all.

I can see how these people were so caught up in the miracles and the presence of Jesus that they didn’t even think about food, but as soon as they walked away from that amazing three-day experience, that realization of hunger would finally kick in. Jesus was concerned about that and had compassion for them.

Then, after Jesus expresses His concern, these brilliant disciples ask: “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” I can only imagine how frustrating it was for Jesus to hear this question from the disciples. They had literally just seen Jesus do this just a few months earlier and the first time, He fed even more people with less food, to begin with! Act like you’ve been here before, disciples! How can you ask this after seeing Jesus cast out demons, heal the blind, deaf, mute and paralyzed, bring the dead to life twice, walk on water and command storms to cease? Not to mention turning water into wine.

Jesus was constantly teaching the disciples throughout this journey. They didn’t have time to sit and learn for a year before starting the mission. They had to learn as they went and had a lot of new stuff thrown at them all at once. These men left everything they knew, wives, children, families, culture, jobs and friends, to follow Jesus for three years. And now, they were in unfamiliar territory and hanging out with a group of people they had always been told was off-limits. And they were learning a whole new faith erasing all the rules, rituals and works required for salvation. Jesus was removing barriers, taking them out of their comfort and bringing them into new cultures, races and beliefs, showing them that these were God’s people. He was not only the God of the Jews; He was God over all creation and all mankind was made in His image.

Even with overwhelming evidence, the disciples still had hesitant faith and questioned Jesus. So, what did Jesus do? He had them feed the people. Jesus was the provider that day, but the disciples were His hands and feet and they walked out the compassion of Jesus.

It is easy for us to look at this passage and say what a bunch of morons. How could they not get it by now? But personally, I know I can be just like the disciples. I see miracles every day, yet I come to God questioning, “If you can, Lord,” instead of saying, “I know you can, Lord.”

John Calvin commented on this passage. He said, “All who have once or twice experienced the power of God and distrust it for the future are convicted of unbelief, for faith cherishes in the heart the remembrance of the gifts of God.”

Just like the disciples, we don’t cherish the miracles we’ve experienced in our hearts enough. Instead, we worry about the future things we cannot control, which causes us to doubt and question God.

Do you trust God to provide a way for you to be the hands and feet of Jesus?

Is Jesus so real in your life that the things in this world become less because He is your provider and sustainer?

What do you fear, even though you know Jesus is telling you to be His hands and feet? What is holding you back?

God, help us to trust You more with the things we can and cannot see. Help us to always see the miracles You have given us and never doubt Your power. When we are afraid or when we feel unequipped, give us the courage and strength to be Your hands and feet. Amen