How often are you amazed by Jesus? What do you believe about Him – not only intellectually, but in your heart? Is he your miracle worker? Your house servant? The rich uncle you call on when you are in trouble, but otherwise, he never sees or hears from you? Or perhaps He is your imaginary superhero about whom you heard amazing stories in Sunday School. Stories like the one in Matthew 15:29-39.
Think of your daily experience. How often do you think of Him, rely upon Him, and experience Him in your everyday life? Do Jesus’ teachings and values shape your thoughts, decisions, worship, and work?
Jesus cast out a demon from the daughter of a gentile woman in Tyre and Sidon (21). Jesus walked—he came to them. His movements were never random.
Jesus travels from there to the gentile region of Decapolis (Mk. 7:31), also a gentile region. Decapolis is an autonomous region with ten city-states that bordered the nation of Israel. The area of Tyre & Sidon down through Decapolis was Gentile territory; the Gentiles were famous for their wicked beliefs and practices. They lived in open immorality, idolatry, and licentiousness. The Gentiles here were known for worshipping Zeus, Aphrodite, Artemis, Hercules, Dionysus, and Demeter. These false belief systems were an affront to the Creator of the universe! The kingdom of heaven was to extend beyond the Jews to the whole earth! (28:19, Acts 1:8).
Many of these people who rushed to see Jesus were pagan idol worshippers. But they had heard of this Jewish teacher and miracle worker who had the power to heal the sick and raise the dead. And they were desperate; perhaps He would help them too. They journeyed from the surrounding cities to find him in the wilderness.
Their gods had never healed the cripple, made the deaf hear, or the mute speak! False religious systems have no power to heal the sick, give the deaf hearing, or restore missing or withered limbs, and they cannot change the heart of man.
These people came to Jesus and brought those who were beyond human help: They threw them down at his feet. This speaks of close, pressing contact, trying to get their friend or relative as close as they could to where Jesus was so that he would see them and help them.
They came in desparation, if he doesn’t help them, there is no one else. They also came with expectation, he could help them, if he would.
The goal of ministry is the exaltation and glory of God. To this end, we work, sacrifice, suffer and give.
Jesus sat down and taught them of the Kingdom of heaven (29), and He healed them all. His miracle power affirmed the truthfulness and reality of his message (30). Reminds us of the ultimate healing of the nations (Rev. 22:2), a reminder that one day the world will be filled with the knowledge of God (Is. 11:9). Reminds us that the kingdom of God is for everyone; it was to include Gentiles, not just Jews. (Acts 10:45-47)
The crowd was left breathless in amazement (31). When was the last time you were amazed by God? These Gentiles glorified the God of Israel (31b)! They were overwhelmed by the magnitude of the power of God displayed in Jesus Christ. (All power – authority has been given to Jesus Christ) (31a). The natural expression of being overwhelmed by God is praise! You can’t help it; praise overflows in the heart and is ripped out in expression (31b). It is the work of Angels around the throne of God night and day – glory to God in the highest.
God’s purpose is the glory of God among all peoples of the earth. Therefore the goal of ministry is ultimately the exaltation and glory of God. God is the eternal, omniscient, omnipotent creator of the universe, and He created man for this purpose, to reflect the glory of God as His image bearers. This image was marred by rebellion and sin. He is delighted to honor His Son for eternity through the heart praise of the Redeemed!
Christ’s followers are likewise called to minister not only to people’s physical and temporal needs but to lead them to glorify God, “ that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God ” ( 2 Cor. 4:15 ). – MacArthur.
The goal of our evangelistic efforts and living for Christ is the worship of God in spirit and truth, “for the Father seeks such to worship Him.” (Jn. 4:23)
The gospel is not primarily about what it can do for a person, rescue them from sin, suffering, a broken and sad existence, or emptiness, but rather the gospel creates those who will bend the knee, overcome with the awe of who He is, and worship Him from the heart in truth.
The way of salvation is not an easy path and a wide, nicely paved road like those I drove on in South Africa recently. It is a violently difficult single-track, stone-filled footpath in Zambia with lots of traffic headed in the opposite direction. Brothers, the task we are commissioned to do is an impossible one: to redeem mankind from selfishness and sin and create a people for God who have new hearts, new motives, new desires, and a new direction! This is impossible to accomplish. I can’t change your heart! I cannot arrest your mind, convince you to obey the truth, and change your will.
We are called to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the furthest, most remote place on the planet, but He did not command this until; first, he promised, “you shall receive power.” (Acts 1:8)
Jesus’ ultimate goal for ministry is worship (31). Coming face to face with Jesus in all his power demanded the worship of God! This is his goal! That these people would not only receive physical healing and help but that they would trust him as Lord and Savior! He had come to rescue them from destruction and make them citizens of the Kingdom of heaven! The gospel is not just about what you can receive or escape – it is about giving glory to God, who is worthy.
Effective Disciples Must Recognize Their Relationship To the Master and His Work
The mission of God in the world flows from His compassionate heart. He had just healed them, to their amazement and the praise of God. They were not asking for food. Jesus’ abundant supply flows from His compassionate heart. NO MATTER what you are going through today, Jesus knows about it, and he knows the problems that are coming tomorrow. He cares, and He cares deeply. Everything here came about because of the compassion of Jesus!
Compassion is deep sympathy and sorrow accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the pain and remove its cause. Matthew has already pointed out to us that God is gracious and compassionate multiple times:
- He had compassion because they were distressed (Mt. 9:36).
- He had compassion for the sick and suffering (14:14, 4:23, 8:16, 9:35)
- He had ompassion for the Gentile Centurion’s servant (8:5-13)
- He had compassion for the Syrophoenician woman’s demonized daughter (15:22-28)
Now Jesus feels compassion for their physical afflictions and the essential provision of food. (6:11). This area was even more desolate than where Jesus fed the 5000. Why does Jesus do another feeding miracle? (31-39) The 5000 was a primarily Jewish audience; this feeding of the 4000 is in Gentile territory.
This miracle reminds us that God’s loving compassion extends to all people – Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles! When you encounter those you perceive to be unlovely, allow the love and compassion of Christ to flow through you to them. Disciples had much to learn about Jesus’ compassion and nature. Gentiles were as valuable to Him as Jews.
God’s compassion holds back his judgment and extends His mercy and grace. He offers mankind a chance to turn from sin and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. That is precisely what is happening among this mixed multitude.
Again and again, God extends compassionate mercy to those who live in rebellion against him. In compassion, He sent His own Son, but he also sends His messengers with His offer of salvation! (2 Chr. 36:13-15)
Jesus had compassion for the spiritual needs of these people. There are eternal consequences for a lack of belief in Jesus. Their physical afflictions would pale in comparison to the endless torment if they did not come to know God through believing in Christ!
Disciples must rely upon His power to accomplish what he commands us to do. Jesus asked them for what they had, not because He needed it, but because he chose to include us in His work! This miracle reminds us of the patience God has with us! When we don’t learn the spiritual lessons, he is teaching us the first time; he patiently teaches the same lesson again.
Jesus accepted the seven loaves and few fish; he did not scoff at their size or small quantity – He took them. When you face a problem beyond your ability, focus on the Provider, not the problem. Nothing is impossible when it is in God’s hands and flows from God’s will. “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”
Jesus acknowledged that the little they had, was a gift from the heavenly Father – He blessed it. Jesus broke the bread and continued to hand it to the disciples. The power and wisdom required to serve Christ come from God, not from within ourselves. If you don’t acknowledge that, God can quickly put you in an impossible situation.
Jesus instructed the disciples to distribute what he created to the people. Ministry is simply giving to others what Jesus has given to you. You are not responsible for producing the solution, but you are responsible for delivering it! Disciples delivered the bread, but Jesus made it. This is stewardship! What do you have that you did not first receive from God?
The feeding of the four thousand reminds us of several important lessons:
- God can and will accomplish all He promises (2 Corinthians 1:20): This miracle demonstrates God’s faithfulness to His word. Just as He provided for the physical needs of the four thousand, He will fulfill all His promises to us. This includes both His temporal provisions and His eternal commitments, such as salvation for those who believe in Christ.
- God’s purposes are sovereign and unstoppable: The feeding of the four thousand shows that no obstacle can thwart God’s plans. Despite the seeming impossibility of feeding such a large crowd with limited resources, God’s will was accomplished. This reminds us that God’s purposes will always prevail, regardless of the circumstances we face.
- God’s compassion is limitless, extending to all our needs – daily, lifelong, and eternal (Lamentations 3:22): Jesus’ concern for the crowd’s hunger illustrates God’s care for every aspect of our lives. His compassion isn’t limited to spiritual matters but encompasses our physical, emotional, and daily needs as well. This limitless compassion is the foundation of His eternal mercies.
- God’s resources never diminish or run out (Luke 6:38): The abundance of food created from a few loaves and fish demonstrates God’s infinite resources. Unlike human supplies which can be depleted, God’s provision is inexhaustible. This encourages us to trust in His ability to meet our needs, no matter how great they may seem.
- God chooses to work through us, even though He doesn’t need us: Jesus could have created food out of nothing, but He chose to use what the disciples had and involved them in distributing the food. This shows that God delights in partnering with us in His work, even though He is all-powerful and doesn’t require our assistance.
- God provides abundantly, beyond what we can imagine: Not only did Jesus feed everyone until they were satisfied, but there were also seven baskets of leftovers. This extravagant provision reminds us that God often blesses us beyond our expectations or what we think we need.
- We are called to invest what we have with God, trusting Him to multiply it (2 Corinthians 9:6): The disciples gave Jesus what little they had, and He multiplied it abundantly. This teaches us to offer our resources, talents, and efforts to God, trusting that He can use and multiply them for His purposes in ways we couldn’t imagine.
- Our compassion should be measured not by our feelings, but by our giving: Jesus’ compassion led to action – He didn’t just feel sorry for the crowd; He met their needs. This challenges us to express our compassion through tangible acts of service and giving, rather than mere sentiment.
Jesus was teaching the disciples the practical and theological reality of His compassion. He wanted them to share his concern for these people’s daily and spiritual needs. Divine compassion embraces every aspect of human need – he cares for your illness, food, and eternal spiritual well-being.
Seven large baskets are large enough for a grown man to get inside were collected with the leftovers. Jesus has Divine Power that imaginary false gods do not match. Jesus was not like self-proclaimed faith healers; Jesus healed those who were maimed, without arms and legs – God still heals, but no man today has the gift of healing. Jesus created new limbs where there were none.
Jesus expects his followers to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of others. But the ultimate goal is leading them into the worship of the One who is worthy of all glory and praise (2 Cor. 4:15). The goal of evangelism is that many more people will give glory to God for His great salvation (Jn. 4:23). Jesus is seeking worshippers.
Conclusion:
This miraculous feeding reminds us that we must rely on God’s power, not our own, to accomplish His work. We have no ability in ourselves to create true worshippers or meet people’s deepest needs. However, as we bring people to Jesus, He will meet their eternal needs. So, let us go forth with the gospel, empowered by the Creator, expecting Him to work through us for His glory. May we be continually amazed by Jesus, allowing His compassion to flow through us, and leading others to glorify the God who is worthy of all praise. As Hudson Taylor said, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.”
Zambia Hunt 
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