Miracle Meal (Matthew 14:13-21)

It's so easy to forget that people in Jesus' day were still trying to figure out who he was.  He looked like any other person of their day.  His preached as though he had authority, but did he have the authority to teach that way?  He had emotions and temptations just like the rest of us.  Was he really the Savior/Messiah?

Jesus was living out another very human moment.  John, his cousin and friend, had just been beheaded for his prophetic-style teaching.  Jesus wanted to be alone to mourn.

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. (Matthew 14:13-14 NIV)

Even in a time of normal humanity, Jesus had compassion that surpasses many of us.  He chose to serve others in his time of need.  He put off his quiet time with The Father to serve others who needed Him.  Now he heals them when he needs some healing himself.

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 here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered. "Bring them here to me," he said. (Matthew 14:15-18 NIV)

Jesus continued to serve others even in his time of need.  He healed their sick.  Fed their souls.  Now, he will perform a miracle to feed their bodies.  Jesus is giving them another sign that he is, indeed, the Savior/Messiah.

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. (Matthew 14:19-21 NIV)

How about you?  Has Jesus healed you?  Has He fed your soul?  Has He fed your body?  Is Jesus your Savior?