Matthew 14:13-21 / Seeing The God/Man

There is perhaps no other place in the Gospels, where both Christ’s humanity and His divinity are so fully seen at one and the same time. Indeed, this portion is so full, it almost defies being mined out completely. Deep, deep revelations are set before our eyes.

Note first: What a picture of Jesus’ humanity emerges.

In vss. 13-14, we see there is no question that Jesus withdraws at least in part to deal with His own personal grief. John, above all others, knew who Jesus was, and shared the most with Him. He paved the way for Him. He was His cousin, and uniquely called to his prophetic office in direct connection with Jesus.

Now, John was senselessly and brutally murdered because a spineless, immoral political leader driven by impulse at the sight of a young girl acting lewdly for his illicit pleasure – and didn’t even have the decency to stop himself in the face of something so heinous. So it is, upon hearing this news, Jesus withdrew. As He would weep at Lazarus’ tomb even though He knew He would raise him from the dead, so too, He know full well He and John will rejoice in Heaven and at the resurrection – and yet – He grieves. He is full man.

Note second: At how wonderful our Savior is. Withdrawing in these moments, nevertheless, refusing to shut His heart at the sight of these people. He does not let His own grief destroy His compassion for them. He still meets out mercy, while reeling from the blows of such wickedness. This is our Lord. His heart remains full even when it is breaking.

Grief has taken an improper place in us when it prevents us from having compassion on the circumstances of others. Jesus demonstrates how even in His great grief – the sorrows, even of mere temporal discomforts – are still able to impact Him.

Note third: In the breaking of the bread – Scant resources are no barrier to meeting great needs, when they are given into the hands of our God, and consecrated to His ends. He will be glorified in our lack – if we look to Him in it. Trust Him.

What good news this is for preachers who must be bi-vocational and are often drawn off to other necessities while wanting to shepherd God’s flock. No, you may not have the time for study and prayer and preparation you desire – but if it is God’s Word, if it is but some small loaves and fishes, it will meet the needs of the souls of your hearers, and then some. Trust His provision in your situation even if it seems meager at the time.

Note fourth: The magnificent display of His divinity. In my estimation, His multiplying the loaves and the fishes is His greatest miracle.

Right before their eyes, in plain view, He had to perform and act of creation ex nihilo. There were only so many atoms and molecules in the loaves and fish at hand. So He had to create more matter right then and there. It is as though He is back in Genesis 1:1. And it is done without fanfare, without telling them what He is doing, without any sort of pageantry. He simply creates, breaks and distributes. What a God!

Could He possibly make His divinity any more clear than in this moment? And yet, they all missed it. Even the Disciples. How blind sin has made us!

Note fifth: What a model for preaching is set before us here.

a. The loaves are broken by Jesus. We get edible portions of His Word from Him in our discourse with Him.

b. We take that, and give it to others.

c. Don’t worry if it seems small, or plain. If eaten, it WILL satisfy.

d. Don’t assume it is only good once. There is more there to feed others as well. There is great abundance.

Note lastly: Three things.

1. Clearly, the idea of abundance is meant to be demonstrated. When God meets the need, He does more than meet it barely. He is a God of abundance and there was enough left over here to feed many, many more.
2. How quickly we are satisfied – when He has provided so much more. We stop receiving from Him when our immediate pinch is met, and not according to all He has made available for us. May we become voracious consumers of all He has provided, and not just triflers at His provision.
3. Why did not those who partook, take more with them to take to others? Why was so much left over? They consumed what they had an appetite for themselves, but thought nothing of taking what Christ had blessed for them to others who might be hungry too.

Father, open my eyes to your great, abundant provision for my soul and life in Jesus. Give me a ravenous appetite for your provision – hunger for your Word and the truth of Christ that gobbles up everything thing I can. And let me take what you have broken, and not let a crumb of it be left behind, but carry it to others who need the Bread of Life that only you can, and have so graciously supplied.