Again, When You Believe it is Insufficient

Saturday, February 5, 2022

32 But Jesus wasn’t finished with them. He called his disciples and said, “I hurt for these people. For three days now they’ve been with me, and now they have nothing to eat. I can’t send them away without a meal—they’d probably collapse on the road.”

33 His disciples said, “But where in this deserted place are you going to dig up enough food for a meal?”

34-39 Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?”

“Seven loaves,” they said, “plus a few fish.” At that, Jesus directed the people to sit down. He took the seven loaves and the fish. After giving thanks, he divided it up and gave it to the people. Everyone ate. They had all they wanted. It took seven large baskets to collect the leftovers. Over four thousand people ate their fill at that meal. After Jesus sent them away, he climbed in the boat and crossed over to the Magadan hills.

-Matthew 15:32-39 The Message

Four Thousand Men Fed

Verse 32: Now Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I feel compassion for the people, because they have remained with Me now for three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.”

Verse 32 study: The feeding 4,000 is a different event from Jesus feeding 5,000 (14:13-21)., confirmed by Mark 8:19-20.

Mark 8:19-20: when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?” They *said to Him, “Twelve.” 20 “When I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of broken pieces did you pick up?” And they *said to Him, “Seven.”

This is the beginning of Jesus’ expanded ministry to the Gentiles.

Verse 33: The disciples *said to Him, “Where would we get so many loaves in this desolate place to satisfy such a large crowd?”

Verse 33 study: Jesus already fed more than 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish. Here is a similar situation that the disciples were again perplexed. How easy it is to throw our hands up in despair when faced with difficult situations. Like the disciples, we forget that if God has cared for us in the past, he will do the same now. When you face a different situation, remember God, and how he cared for you and trust him to work faithfully in your life.

Verse 34: And Jesus *said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”

Verse 35: And He directed the people to sit down on the ground;

Verse 36: and He took the seven loaves and the fish; and after giving thanks, He broke them and started giving them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

Verse 37: And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, seven large baskets full.

Verse 38: And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

Verse 39: And sending away the crowds, Jesus got into the boat and came to the region of Magadan.

Verse 39 studies: Magadan was located on the west shore of the Sea of Galilee, also known as Dalmanatha (Mark 8:10), this is Mary Magdalene’s hometown.