Matthew 15:29-39 presents what the Lord does for those in need. First, He spared their suffering—“Bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and they put them at His feet,

and He healed them.” (v. 30) Jesus welcomed them all; He didn’t complain about the size of the task; He considered every soul precious to God. Second, He satisfied their hunger—“I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” (v. 32) Jesus responded to the multitude following Him: (a) He expressed pity … “I have compassion on the crowd,” and (b) He displayed His power … “They all ate and were satisfied.” (v. 37) It is interesting that His disciples had some trouble believing: they had already forgotten the feeding of the 5,000, and they would forget this miracle, too. But the multitudes experienced His power: and the amount of food available was more than sufficient—“They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. (vv. 37-38) Third, He sent them home—“Sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.” (v. 39) Why did Jesus send the people to their homes? He fed them twice by miracles, but miracles are not to be the source of daily food. Mountaintop experiences are wonderful, but we serve in the valley. Intimate times with Jesus are needed, but we are His witnesses in the world. Jesus wants you to serve Him by faith in your world and trust Him to meet your needs. Notice again the effort of the people to deal with physical sicknesses: “Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others.” (v. 30) But how little attention is given to spiritual illnesses! Is there sin in your life you need to deal with in order to serve Jesus in this world?

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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