The LORD's Day, July 12, 2009

Jesus Helps Us In Overwhelming Situations
In Times of Great Need

Matthew 14.13-21

This is the only miracle except for the Resurrection of Jesus that appears in all four of the gospels. It is full of rich truths as well as drama and a presentation of Jesus Christ as Israel’s Messiah and the Savior of the world.

The problem was that it was getting late and the people had been listening to Jesus and were hungry and there was nothing there among the thousands except a boy’s lunch.

Light had come to the people of Galilee. They had been both crushed in their history by invading armies and had been looked down upon by those in Judea. Jesus came to this area and although he was born in Bethlehem and of David’s line He grew up in Nazareth and became known as a Nazarene and also a Galilean. (Matthew 2.23 , Luke 22.59) Both Nazarenes and Galileans were looked down upon.

Jesus was working among the people of Galilee just as Isaiah the prophet had foretold. (Isaiah 9.1-2)

Miracles came many times because of people’s misfortunes and this one was no different. There were children along. (v.21) We know what it is like for children when they get hungry. Oh boy! My oldest grandson has a very active metabolism. One time when my nephews were here some years ago. It was the afternoon and one of them asked, "Uncle Larry, are we going to have like, lunch?" Kids need to eat. They can’t skip meals.

1. He comforts us v.16a
We look at a problem we are having and He speaks of it as an opportunity for Him to show His power.

We usually come at problems from a wrong perspective. We come at them by leaning on our own understanding. That is a sure way to end up in despair. We need to be reminded that God is in control!

The disciples were all stressed out. There is no need to be if Jesus is with us. They were thinking logically, but sometimes God doesn’t work the way we are thinking!

Jesus reminded them of this by saying, "They do not need to go away." Sometimes His comfort can be alarming! We lean on our understanding and He wakes us up!

I think we should listen more carefully to the LORD along these lines.
We look at the predicament and then conclude, "Here is what we need to do." Jesus is saying many times, "No, you do not need to." They do not need to go away... Wait for the LORD.

2. He challenges us. v.16b
He involves us in the solving the problem so we can share in the miracle.
God calls us to get involved with problems!

Often we begin to look to our own resources and solutions and they always end in despair and frustration. (John 6.5-9)

We begin to try and figure it out and there is no figuring!
We begin to inventory our resources and find there is no way with what we have that we could even make a dent in a need in our life.

Now Jesus gave them an overwhelming command - "you give them something to eat". He doesn’t give us these kind of commands and then leave us to ourselves.

3. He calls us to share with Him in His work. v.17-19

Jesus tells us to bring what we have to Him. It is amazing how a little bit of money can go and feed hungry children today. Our church has a hot lunch program in Haiti. For very little each week you can give so a child in Haiti can have at least one hot meal a day. Jesus’ words are for us: "You give them something to eat."

We are called to share in giving our income to the work of the LORD. God has set it up in His Word for a portion to be set aside each week according to how He has blessed us. He will bless you if you obey Him. There is no pressure here to give. There is simply a box in the back for you to do so... but the greatest transactions you’ll make in your life take place in that little box and others like it around the world.

You give them something to eat has spiritual application as well. Invite people to come with you to church. Share on Facebook what God has spoken to you about through His Word each day. Send notes. Look for opportunities- they abound- to share the good news... the Bread of Life... the Bread that has come down from heaven and gives life to the world.

4. He does miracles. vs. 20-21

Most of the time He does miracles as we work. Many times He has working then He works.

Look to heaven with what you have in your hands. Aaron’s rod. What has God gifted your hands with? Cooking, art work, fixing things, writing... patting a person on the back.

What an example Jesus set for us! He gave thanks! He thanked the Father for what He had... what was in His Hands. Are you following Him in this way?
We know (as we shared last week) that every good and perfect gift comes down from the our Father in Heaven. Why do we look else where? Why do we worry so?
Don’t miss the obvious lesson here. We see Jesus with a boy’s lunch. In front of Him are 5,000 men besides all the women and children! At His side are the Twelve. He is standing there with all these people who are hungry and He is giving thanks for a little boy’s lunch! In the words of Andrew, "How far will they go among so many?" Jesus is giving thanks for the little He had. Holding the lunch in His Hands He looked up to heaven.

5. His works are wonderful!

This went from the disciples being concerned about the people’s need of food to their hands being full with the leftovers! All this took place in a short time. Evening approached (v.15) Evening came (v.23)

Does God always work that fast? No! Look at the next miracle: They were out on that boat at least nine perhaps up to 11 ½ hours! They were struggling. Jesus waited almost all night. Maybe you are going through a night season (as we sang about this morning) right now. Wait for the LORD! He will come to you! Obey Him and wait for Him. His works are filled with wonder.

This miracle took place in a matter of moments. They went from having thousands of hungry people without any food to everyone being glutted and having a basketful leftover for each of the disciples to carry!

The people were stuffed on a boy’s lunch! Jesus works wonders.

He delights in working through small insignificant people and groups of people. He used a kid and His lunch and some fishermen to feed a multitude of people. We tend to look at the large groups of people and think that they are the ones God uses but in reality He has worked through families and rather small numbers.
God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. Little is much when God is in it. Only a boy named David, only a little sling! O Little Town of Bethlehem... the hymn writers have picked up on this...

Let’s look to Him today!