The Feeeding of the Five Thousand (Plus)

Matthew 14:15-21 is often called "The Feeding of the Five Thousand." In reality, that is a misnomer. Verse 21 makes it clear that five thousand men were fed that day. The women and children were not counted in that number. So, it had to be at least the feeding of the five thousand and two, though the number was probably much larger than that. Even if we don't know the exact figure, we do know that this was a miracle. In our household of four, we are blessed if a loaf of bread last for two or three days. You certainly don't expect five small loaves and two tilapia fillets to feed more than five thousand people.

There is some deep theological truth embedded in this passage. The feeding of the five thousand plus portrays Jesus as the new Moses. Out in the wilderness, He is providing the people of Israel with the bread and meat that they need. If that doesn't have overtones of the Exodus, what does? Jesus' reproduction of bread and fish for Israel makes clear that He will establish a new covenant with Israel just as Moses established the old. It also makes clear that Jesus is God, for God was the ultimate source of the manna and quail that Israel ate on her wilderness journey.

It is not just the theological truths of this passage that interest me, though. I am encouraged by the practical truths here. The disciples see a need. They see a huge need. They see a need that in their wildest imaginations they could never think about meeting. And what does Jesus say? He says: "You meet it." And what do the disciples say? "Our resources are not enough. Jesus, there is no way we can meet this need." Too often, I do the same thing as the disciples. God shows me a need and says, "Meet it." He says, "Here is a ministry challenge for you to undertake." And what do I say? I say: "God, I am not up to the task. I don't have the ministry resources. I am not a gifted enough pastor. Our church doesn't have enough volunteers. There is a problem of money."

God is not interested in my excuses. Jesus knew the limitations that the disciples faced when He asked them to feed the crowd. Yet, He still called on them to help. Jesus wasn't concerned about the little the disciples had. He just wanted the disciples to give all that they had so that He could bless it. And when Jesus blessed it, the little became a lot.

Is God calling you to meet a need? He is not interested in what you don't have. He is not calling you to meet the need in your strength. God is calling you to use what you do have for Him so that He can bless it. When we take the little that we have and use it for God, great things can happen. So when God calls you to meet a need, don't fuss about what you don't have. Just give what you do have to Him and see what happens.