Matthew 14:13-21

Matthew 14:13-21
The feeding of the 5000 is a unique and instructive miracle in the life of Jesus. Comparing both Mark’s and John’s accounts we learn that Jesus took His disciples on the other side of the Sea of Galilee in order to give them rest. However, the crowds went around the sea on foot and met Jesus when He arrived by boat. Seeing the multitudes, Jesus had compassion on them and both healed their sick and taught them. At the end of the day the disciples asked Jesus to send them away so that they could find food. However, Jesus challenged His disciples to feed them. Philip replied that 200 denarii (200 days’ wages for a laboring man) worth of bread would not be able to feed them. Jesus then asked how much food they had. Andrew found a boy who had brought his own dinner: five loaves and two fish. It must of have been an interesting moment for the disciples as Jesus began to give thanks for this food after having the multitudes seated in ranks of hundreds and fifties. But what an amazing miracle as Jesus continued to pass out bread and fish until 5000 men were fed besides women and children.
But there is more to the miracle than just amazement. Each of Jesus’ miracles had a teaching purpose. John referred to His miracles as “signs,” indicating that there was a message in each miracle. In John 6, Jesus followed the miracle of the loaves and fish with a sermon in which He claimed to be the bread of life. In other words, the fact that Jesus had the power to feed the people physically was intended to prove that He could also feed them spiritually. On the next day, when the multitudes again sought Jesus, He rebuked them with these words: “You are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life.” The problem with the people was their interest in the physical instead of the spiritual.
This brings us to a valuable lesson. The religious world continually emphasizes the physical benefits of being a Christian; it is the gospel of health and wealth. But this is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. When churches attempt to attract people through fun, food, and games, they are perverting the gospel. In John 6:45, Jesus said, “They will all be taught by God. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” The only people who truly come to the Lord are those who hear and learn from the Father.
Berry Kercheville