John 21:25 states “Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written”. If this is true, then why would Matthew retell almost the exact same story within two chapters? There must be something to glean from the story of Jesus feeding the four thousand that is distinct from His feeding of the five thousand in Chapter 14. Let’s go searching…
Matthew 15:32-39
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.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ Compare and contrast Matthew 14:13-22 and Matthew 15:30-39. Find key words and instances that are exactly the same and explain why they are so important in the revelation of who Jesus is? What are the slight differences and are they important? Why or why not? The feeding of the five thousand is one of the few miracles Jesus performed that is recounted in all four Gospels? Why do you think that is?
+ What does this story tell you about the disciples? If Jesus just pulled off the feeding of 5,000, why did they react with doubt in this story?
+ Matthew 15:21-39 is the only recording of Jesus leaving the ancient borders of Israel and venturing into pagan land. Now, what is the significance of Jesus feeding the large crowd in verses 32-39? Read Isaiah 25:6-9 and Revelation 19:6-9
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ I find myself wondering how Jesus’s disciples could be so thick sometimes!!! They still had to ask “where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd”? But then I remember the numerous times I worked myself into a tizzy worrying how I was going to get out of certain predicament or spent hours coming up with my own plans to “fix” my problems. The Lord has delivered me so many times. Trusting God, relying on his provision, waiting for Him to lead is the answer. I find myself wondering how I can be so thick sometimes!!!
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?