Matthew 14:13-21
Introduction: One thing this past year has shown us is the reality and power of the filters we all have. How is it that the exact same facts or events (a virus, masks, a vaccine, an election, a killing that causes racial tension) can cause wildly divergent reactions? How can we all look at the exact same thing and see something totally different? There are a few ways we could answer these questions but there is one answer that now seems undeniable. We all have filters that we use to see, understand, and interpret the world.
The story in this passage – the feeding of the 5000 – is well-known, and among all the miracles of Jesus it has a unique/important place: it is the only miracle story that is told in ALL 4 Gospels. There must have been something special about this particular miracle that caused all 4 writers to include it. Let’s try to explore that by looking at the two very clear focuses in this story, neither of which are on the miracle itself!
1. Who Jesus is For Us - Verse 13 tells us that “when Jesus heard about it he withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone”. Whether “it” refers to the execution of John the Baptist or simply that King Herod had begun paying attention to him, Jesus was still certainly dealing with the rejection he had received from his hometown and even his own family.
This ‘remote place’ was supposed to be a retreat - to pray, to rest, to grieve, to think. But as Jesus is getting out of the boat, he sees thousands of people there waiting for Him! In the midst of his very real human exhaustion and grief, this passage shows us:
a) Jesus is compassionate beyond our comprehension. This is not a fringe part of his character and person – it is an essential part of who Jesus is, repeated over and over again in the Gospels. If you come to him with your need, He is never irritated, He will never be busier with more important things, he will never be uncaring. There is never a bad time! He will never say ‘I told you so, you deserve it, serves you right’. Jesus will ALWAYS meet your every need with compassion beyond comprehension.
b) Jesus is powerful beyond our understanding. What Jesus can do does not fit into our categories. There have been many attempts over the years to filter this story through our modern ideas of what is possible/ scientific. But this miracle can’t be understood by adding up with human factors alone - there is a divine factor in the equation. If Jesus is who He says He is – the Son of God – that is the factor changes the equation.
.The point of this miracle is how these 2 things come together in Jesus: Raw miraculous power alone isn’t enough. Deep and heartfelt compassion alone won’t cut it either. But in Jesus we see compassion joined to power, where He can understand and comfort our needs no matter what and we can trust that he is able to meet them, oftentimes in ways we can’t understand or comprehend.
We tend to filter out Jesus’ compassion based on wrong perceptions of his distance, sovereignty, or our own worthiness. Others filter out his power based on our limited human understanding of what can see (it feels hopeless!) and understand (he can’t possibly be working in this!). But this story assures us – at all times, in all our need - Jesus is compassionate beyond our comprehension, He is powerful beyond our understanding.
2. What Jesus Can Do Through Us
This miracle story is focused not on the miracle itself, but the one who did the miracle. BUT what is so unique about this miracle (compared to all the other ones) is how Jesus did this miracle – through his disciples. A number of commentators have noted a hint of possible impatience/exhaustion/frustration in the disciples’ interaction with Jesus. We know from the other Gospels that they had been sent out on mission around Galilee, and part of the reason for the retreat into the wilderness was for them to rest.
In our current Covid-afflicted times, perhaps we can relate to the disciples’ desire to have Jesus “send the crowds away”. Many (if not most!) of us probably feel like ‘I don’t have the time, or the energy, or the heart, the desire! What do I have left to give? If anything, it’s only just a little.’ There is real truth here, that the demands of our particular season of life do give rise to limits. But we look all around and see overwhelming need, and underwhelming resources – probably much like the disciples.
Given the circumstances, the disciples were being realistic – they were drained, they were empty, and knew their own limits. Sending the crowds away probably felt like a reasonable solution. In fact, the worst thing the disciples could have done was to attempt the task without acknowledging how inadequate 5 loaves and 2 fish (a common laborer’s meal) would be. Those most out of touch with reality are those who believe they can carry out their calling from God in their own resources/capacity. Those most in touch with reality know they are inadequate in and of themselves.
Jesus then says to them ‘bring them to Me.’ The disciples were looking at the desert, the massive need, their meager resources – the reality. Jesus responds by acknowledging the math, BUT reminding them that they’ve left out one important variable – Him. If we count out Jesus, we are missing the central reality of the situation. Jesus called them to a task beyond them, but He gave them the grace to do it – that is the promise here. If Jesus asks us to do something, he will give us the grace to do it. If we believe Jesus is who He said He is, the most central reality in any situation is Jesus. We can never factor him out. He is compassionate beyond our comprehension, powerful beyond our understanding and wise beyond our perception. That’s the lesson of the parable = 5+2+Jesus = enough.
REFLECT OR DISCUSS
What about this sermon most impacted you or left you with questions? Here is what one scholar said about the filters we bring to Jesus:
It is vitally important for us to develop a clear vision of Jesus. For many people, an understanding of Jesus is cluttered with fragmented or distorted images. We are often more familiar with the pieces of Jesus’ image that our culture, denomination, church, or fellowship group has excised for its own use than we are with the full biblical picture. (Michael Wilkins, Matthew)
Do you agree with this? How do you see this in your own life and experience?
How would you describe the compassion of Jesus based on this passage? Where are you most in need (and maybe doubting) the compassion of Jesus? How can this story encourage you?
How would you describe the power of Jesus based on this passage? Where are you most struggling to believe in Jesus’ power? How does this story encourage you?
In addition to compassion and power there was one more thing mentioned in the sermon that this miracle revealed about Jesus – his wisdom. He asked the disciples to do something that seemed foolish - there was no way it made sense to them. This is meant to show the us that Jesus is wise beyond our perception. How has this proven true in the past for you? Where do you most need to remember this in your life?
Where do you most feel inadequate and not enough to be/do what Jesus has called you to be/do? ie Where do you most feel like “All I have is 5 loaves and 2 fish”?
What might it look like for you to bring what you have for Jesus and trust that he will use it and multiply in ways you can’t understand or comprehend? What is holding you back from doing this?