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Deep Compassion

Text: Matthew 14 : 13 - 21

The movements of Jesus were followed closely by the multitudes. The moment they heard the slightest whisper of where Jesus was, the multitudes sought Him out. How did Jesus see all these things?

“But when the multitudes heard it,
they followed Him on foot from the cities.
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude;
and He was moved with compassion for them,
and healed their sick.”
MATTHEW 14:13-14

There was no time for a long respite. Personal grief must be dealt with quickly and set aside. There were multitudes to care for. The death of John the Baptiser was not news that could be hidden. Antipas must have known that news of the execution would soon become common news. What would the multitudes do, since they regarded John as a prophet? Would they go on a riot in protest of his execution?

Perhaps the multitudes had grown weary of all the blood that had been spilt. Herod was a wicked king. His son Archelaus was little better! Antipas was a bit of an improvement, but he too was not beneath slaying the innocent! The multitudes needed a leader! Would Jesus be that leader for them?

They came singly. They came by droves. Soon multitudes were crying out for Jesus to give them some attention. Many had followed Him on foot. They brought with them those who were sick! How did Jesus feel even though they never fully comprehended what He sought to teach them? Matthew used a correct word when he wrote that Jesus “was moved with compassion for them”. And though He would prefer not to accentuate His healing ministry, nevertheless He “healed their sick” – out of sheer compassion.

A LITTLE TEST

The Gospel writers selected the miracles they wanted to include in their accounts of the Life of Jesus. All four of them included the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand. John’s Gospel noted that Jesus used this occasion to test His disciples.

“Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude
coming toward Him, He said to Philip,
‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?’
But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew
what he would do.'”
JOHN 6:5-6

Matthew’s perspective was a little different. Probably, they did not hear what Jesus said to Philip as the crowds grew bigger and bigger. Soon, Jesus was deeply caught up with healing the sick and teaching them about the kingdom of God. As the sun’s rays grew longer, and evening began to fall, the other disciples came to Jesus and brought up a very real and practical problem.

“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.'”
MATTHEW 14:15

The disciples of Jesus were deeply concerned if not aghast! The hour was late. Surely, their Master could not have forgotten the lateness of the hour! Perhaps they should just remind Him of the fact that it was evening! Perhaps they could also suggest that Jesus should send the multitude away – for practical reasons! All would need to eat soon! Perhaps it would not be too late to go to the villages and buy food for the evening meal!

To their great surprise, Jesus spoke to the disciples about the possibility of feeding the multitudes!

“But Jesus said to them, ‘They do not need to go away.
You give them something to eat.'”
Matthew 14:16

The disciples were clearly not prepared for these words of Jesus! What could He mean? They had seen Jesus disappear from crowds before. They had seen Him walk away from the milling multitudes. He was always astonishing them with what He said! Had He made a mistake this time round? “Give them something to eat”? How would that be possible? Glumly, they replied.

“We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
MATTHEW 14:17

The disciples gazed at Jesus and awaited His answer. What would He say to them after their announcement that they did not have enough food for themselves, let alone the multitudes?

A MASTER OF EVERY SITUATION

What would Jesus do with the five loaves and two fish? None of the disciples had any idea what He would do next. The magnitude of this miracle caused all the gospel writers to include this event in their books! Had they fully understood who Jesus was?

“He said, ‘Bring them here to Me.’ Then He commanded
the multitudes
To sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves
and the two fish,
and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke
and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples
gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled,
and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.
Now those who had eaten were about
five thousand men, besides women and children.”
MATTHEW 14:18-21