Matthew 15:32-39…Ready

Matthew 15:32-39…Ready

15:32  Jesus called his disciples to him (Was not an order or command, but a call in what He would like to see happen. Jesus simply drops the hint and sees if we will do what He desires and wants.-(New)  and said, “I have compassion (To have a gut-wrenching aguish in the suffering of others. Loves goes the extra mile-(New) for these people they have already been with me three days (Having been already healed, they stayed around eager to hear Jesus preach) and have nothing to eat. (Their willingness to endure hunger displayed their greater appetite for Jesus and His words. That they were not just interested in miracles but Jesus Himself.) I do not want to send them away hungry, (Jesus takes note of our deprivation and service) or they may collapse on the way”. (To become physically incapacitated due to severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and exhaustion resulting from a lack of food)  33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place (There were no restaurants in sight. You couldn’t just go to the local Sizzler.) to feed such a crowd?” (The disciples were not so much questioning Jesus’ capacity, but His willingness in ministering to the Gentiles as He did to the Jews)  34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. (Jesus is not saying ‘how little have you got?’. He is simply asking what resources are already available.-(New) “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”  35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. (Problem in groups of 50 & 100. They sat down to eat, not because they saw food, but because they trusted in Jesu’ provision.) 36 Then he took the seven loaves and fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied.  Afterwards, the disciples picked up seven (Seven is often used as a symbolic number of perfection, completeness, and fulness.) basketfuls (4711-hamper-size-basket. The same type of basket that was used to lower the Apostle Paul out of a window-(Acts 9:25, 2-Corn. 11:32-33-(New)  Unlike the smaller baskets used in the first feeding of the 5000 Jews. Emphasizes the abundance of God’s grace is enough to go around for all people-(New)) of broken pieces that were left over. (Displays how when you give to the Lord, you’ll always get back more than you gave.-(New) 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand, (The number may be a symbolic representation of people from the four corners of the earth. As we read how God gathers from the four winds of the earth at His coming-(Matt. 24:31 New)  besides women and children. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan. (For Additional Expository Notes see Book)

 Extended Sermons

“Teaches how Jesus is concerned not just with the eternal welfare of our souls, but our day-to-day needs as well.” → In His compassion Jesus cares deeply for our physical and emotion well-being just as much as our spiritual wellbeing. Jesus’ recognizes when we are weary, hungry, or burdened, and He takes action to meet us right where we are, offering practical help along with spiritual hope. This assurance reminds us that no problem is too small or too great to bring before Him—As we witness Jesus providing for those who follow Him, we are encouraged to approach Him with confidence, believing He will supply all we need according to His love and wisdom.

“Warns how we can experience the kindness of God in the past   and still doubt Him for the present.” → How often do we forget the past provision of God? How often to we factor God out of the equation of our problems? Even when He’s made himself so apparent throughout our life, even though He’s rescued us from our sin, when we’re faced with a difficulty, it’s hard to trust God can do something we can’t see.

“Teaches how as believers are to share in the mission and work of Jesus. (What we receive from Jesus we share with others).” ⇒ As believers were to partner with Christ, being His His hands and His feet. Just as Jesus involved His disciples in the feeding of the multitude, we are invited to participate in bringing hope and healing to those around us, trusting that what we offer—however limited it may seem—can be used by God to meet both physical and spiritual needs abundantly. In this way, we learn to rely not on our own resources or abilities, but on the grace and sufficiency of Christ, who equips us for every good work. This ongoing partnership with the Lord encourages us to witness His provision and to share His love, knowing that our faithfulness in joining His mission leads to blessings not only for ourselves, but for all who encounter His generosity through us. As believers the Lord works through as a means to help others. As disciples, we are expected to participate in ministry, using what we receive from the Lord to serve others. Whatever strengths, talents, gifts, knowledge, insights, resources, money, that God has blessed us with will we not use it for the good of the world and not just for the good of self. God sets things up in this way for our good and for His Glory.

Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches how the God of the Universe is not dilatant or uncaring, but is moved with feelings of love, compassion, and affection.-(V. 32)

Teaches those who have experienced the overflowing grace of the Lord will see people the way Jesus sees people.-(V.32)

Teaches how even after receiving blessings the problems and difficulties of life do not go away.-(V. 32)

Teaches those who are touched by Jesus will spend time with Jesus. Or do you walk away once you get your miracle.-(V. 32)

Displays Christ’s gracious patience, instead of scolding us He uses whatever little faith and provisions we –(V. 34)

Teaches how ministry is to be carried out in a properly and orderly manner.-(V.35)

Teaches how as believers, we become channels through which God’s goodness flows.-(V. 36)

Teaches instead of focusing on our lack, we‘re to remain optimistic, trusting that the Lord can use even our small offerings for great purpose.-(Vs. 34-36)

Teaches how gratitude is essential in asking the blessing. Always giving thanks to God for the good things were about to receive-(V. 36)

Teaches how God wants us to be good stewards with what He gives us, not allowing anything to go to waste.-(V.37)

Teaches how the Lord never sends us any place without knowing what lies ahead.-(V. 39)

Teaches how it’s enough to live on the fullness and abundance  of what Christ provides.-(V. 39)

Displays how God’s provisions are more than sufficient in meeting any need we may have later on down the road.-(V.39)

Jesus by asking not what little they got, but what they had on. Teaches rather than be overwhelmed by what you don’t have, stay positive about what you do have.

The disciples are not having amnesia in forgetting about Jesus’ earlier feeding of the 5000. Nor is it a case of skepticism in thinking how could they feed all these people. But rather it displays more of a lack of presumption on their part. For the disciple to think that Jesus would, as a matter of course, multiply a few loaves as He had done so before would have been presumptions on their part. It’s like them just kicking back and saying “No problem, we got a miracle working Jesus here” “Whatever problem we have He can just speak it, and boom it’s fixed.” How about you? Are you a miracle today kind of person. Expecting Jesus to just show up and make all your problems to go away. Others suggests the possibility that not all of the of the disciples were there at the first feeding of the 5000. [If that were true the others disciples would have most certainly clued them in of what had taken place earlier. Plus the fact that the twelve disciples usually always traveled together.] Others suggests that they were only asking in a anticipatory way, already knowing the answer Jesus would give. In a way they were saying “What are we going to do Jesus”? Wink-Wink. Still others suggests that the disciples did not assume Jesus would perform the same miracle as a result of the first crowds attempt to make Him king by force.-(John 6:15) [Many reject this based on the fact the a Gentile crowd would not have been aware of the Jewish Messianic overtones of a King who would sit on the throne of David.]

Many believe the food continued to multiply as Jesus gave it to the disciples. Much in the same manner as the widow woman of Zarephath whose jar of flour and jar of oil never ran out, though there was little in them and she used them for a whole year (1 Kings 17:10). Or the case of the multiplied oil of the prophet’s widow when Elisha had her continue to pour oil from one container and fill up a room full of vessels. The oil multiplied even as she poured it out. Therefore it is believed the same occurred here with the food multiplying in the basket even as Jesus distributed it to His disciples.

Differences between the Feeding of the 4000 & 5000 

• Different numbers of those being fed. (One being 5000, the other 4000.)

• Different locations (One on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee,, the other on the eastern shores of the Sea of Galilee.)

• Different seasons of the year, (One on grass (Spring) in the other on ground (Late Summer).

• Different supply of food at the beginning. (One Five loaves, the other Seven loaves)

• Different number of baskets of leftovers, (One Twelve Baskets, the other Seven baskets. Even a different word for “baskets.” [The first feeding used smaller baskets, the second larger baskets].

• Different periods of time of waiting for the people, (One only a day, the other Three days)

• The Messianic overtones. (One wanted to make Jesus King by force. the other had no such intention.)

• Jesus’ the Bread of Life speech (One had Jesus talking about the bread of life and the Manna from heaven. the other is left out.-(John 6:35) [No doubt would have made no sense to the Gentiles]

• Jesus Himself mentions a distinction when warning the disciples of the Yeast of the Pharisees & Sadducees.-(Matt. 16:3-12)

Spiritual Lessons & Applications:

• Jesus the source of Salvation & Eternal life for all people.

• Jesus’ abundant provision in satisfying Spiritual needs of the soul.

• The importance of Stewardship in avoiding waste.

• The need for compassion & generosity towards all peoples.

• The sustenance Jesus provides as the “Bread or Life”..

• The Participation of the Gentiles in sharing in the Messianic banquet .

(All Sermons are Free to use for Preaching & Teaching, but not for Publication in any form without the Written Permission of the Author)