Something Out of Nothing

Matthew 14:13

Jesus’ Story

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

Matthew 14:13 

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…

Matthew 14:22-23

 

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 14:14

The Crowd

The Disciples

Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

Matthew 14:15

But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”

Matthew 14:16-17

And he said, “Bring them here to me.

Matthew 14:18

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

Matthew 14:19

And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.   

Matthew 14:20 

I can do all things through him (Christ) who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

In the first forty years of his life Moses learned that he was something; in the second forty years he learned that he was nothing; in the final forty years he learned that God can make something out of nothing.

--Howard Hendricks

Wake us each day choosing to believe in the boundlessness of Jesus.   

By these miracles Matthew clearly intends to teach the church that she shares Jesus’ authority more amply than she believes. 

--Dale Bruner

Bring what you have to Jesus--Share what you receive.  

Jesus used simple means from creation (bread and fish) and the simple hands of sinful men — to accomplish what He intends.  The disciples brought to Jesus what they had, and now are widely distributing what He gave back to them.