Matthew 15:32-39, Jesus Feeds the 4000

32 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.” 33 And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” 34 And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 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. 37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.

Comments

Three days is a long time, especially to go without adequate food. When Jesus asked his disciples to do something, were they suffering from short-term memory loss or is it because of the location in Gentile? Jesus repeated his earlier feeding miracle done in Jewish territory. What is the significance of the location and ethnicity of the people who experienced this miracle? Matthew clear communicates that Jesus is the Messiah for the nations.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you that you gave your life for all people and all nations. Keep me from looking down on others created in your image and having disdain for cultures I do not understand, but give me loving eyes, an inquiring spirit, and the wisdom to know what is of you and what is not.