Matthew 14: 13-21
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
“We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
“Bring them here to me,” he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
A Thought
Jesus had just received word that his cousin, companion and friend, John had been beheaded while in prison. Jesus then tried to privately go to a solitary place by boat, but was followed by the crowds on foot. Laying aside his own concern, Jesus was persistent in his ministry to teach the people about the kingdom of God. Jesus had compassion on them, healed their sick, and used five loaves of bread and two fish to feed well over 5,000 people with twelve basketfuls left over after all were satisfied. Jesus is our perfect example: Jesus served others with love and compassion; He used what he had and gave thanks to his Father in heaven to miraculously supply all that was needed. What do you think would happen if, we put the needs of others before our own? Or if we were to be persistent in prayer with faith for the need of others to accept with repentance the love of Jesus?
Our Prayer
Father thank you for your plan for our lives to bring glory and honor to you. Fill us with your love and compassion for others that we will be persistent in prayer. We ask that you send us to help meet the needs of others that they will witness your love through us, in Jesus’ name, amen.
