by David Scott Robertson
Matthew 14:15-18 (NKJV)
When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food." [16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." [17] And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." [18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
I love the story of Jesus feeding the five thousands (plus women and children)
With only five loaves and two fish.
This beloved Bible story chronicles an outright miracle.
Miracles were not uncommon when Jesus was in the mix.
Terminal situations unexpectedly turned around when Jesus showed up.
The ordinary bowed to the extraordinary
And the impossible became possible when the power of God flowed through Christ.
Let me tell you about what impressed me most about this particular Bible passage.
It's not really the great faith of Jesus we find recorded in verse 16:
[16] But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
Rather, it's the great unbelief of the disciples found in verse 17:
[17] And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."
Their response to Jesus' command is so typical.
"Lord, we can't possibly do what you've asked because we lack the resources."
Haven't we heard a hundred excuses of why men cannot do what God has plainly commanded?
My attention is captivated on a single word the disciples used in their objection to the Lord's command: and that is the word "only."
By including the word "only" in their statement
They were basically saying that five loaves and two fishes were not enough to get the job done.
They presumptuously informed the Son of God the facts of the situation,
But never forget that truth always overrides facts.
The reason I'm so drawn to the "five loaves and two fish" statement is that
I've heard that mentality many times before (sometimes out of my own mouth, I'm afraid!)
"We have here ONLY six stone pots of water and no wine at all, the wedding is ruined!"
(John 2:1-10).
"We have here ONLY a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die."
(1 Kings 17:12).
"I have here ONLY two very small copper coins, worth ONLY a fraction of a penny, what difference could my tiny offering possibly make?" (Mark 12:42)
"We have here ONLY three hundred men with which to overthrown the Midianites, can it be done?" (Judges 7:7-8)
"We have here ONLY one hundred bucks left in our checking account, how are we going to make it?"
"We have here ONLY a marriage vow but all our feelings of love have left, is our marriage salvageable?"
"We have here ONLY David Robertson, what good is he?"
Five loaves and two fish may be the fact of the matter
But the truth is - glory to God - it's not the end of the matter!
The key is found in verse 18 of the story of the five loaves and two fish:
." [18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
There it is!
Forget the facts, enter the truth!
Do you see it?
Jesus Christ is the Way (God WILL make a way for you!) -
Jesus Christ is the Truth (facts must bow down to the truth!) -
Jesus Christ is the Life (power to raise dead things in your life!) (John 14:6).
Jesus has the unique ability to take the inadequate and supernaturally convert it into MORE THAN ENOUGH!
"They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." (Mat 14:20 NIV)
Is your back up against the wall today?
Are you stuck in a dead-end predicament?
Has something died in your world?
Are you suffering from a situation of lack?
Do you feel trapped like Moses and the Israelites stuck between Pharaoh's army and the Red Sea?
If so, bring your insufficiency to the Lord!
Carry your inadequacy to Christ!
Consecrate your finances, marriage, ministry, health, and so on to the Lord!
If you have ONLY a mustard seed size faith (Matthew 17:20) to combat your enormous, giant-sized need,
Then by all means obey the Lord's command in verse 18 of our text:
[18] He said, "Bring them here to Me."
Then stand still and see the miracle provision of the Lord Jesus Christ!
DSR
12/19/02