Matthew 15:29 says, And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. Jesus once again went up on the mountain and sat there. Verse thirty adds, And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: Multitudes of people came to Jesus bring to him those that had many physical problems, and He healed them. They were still looking just for physical healing for the most part. We today need to be just as serious about bringing the lost who need spiritual healing to Jesus. Verse thirty-one declares, Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. The people wondered how Jesus could heal people, but at least they gave glory to the God of Israel. It does not say that they gave glory to Jesus or to their God. It is not enough to just acknowledge that there is a God, but we must also acknowledge that Jesus Christ is God and accept Him personally as our Savior and Lord. Verse thirty-two states, Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. After three days, Jesus called His disciples and said that He had compassion for the people and would not send them away fasting so that they would not faint on their way home. When we come to Jesus today with our cares and concerns, He will never send us away empty. Verse thirty-three asks, And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? The disciples asked Jesus if He thought they had enough bread to feed all the people. How often do we as Christians ask if Jesus can provide for not only our needs but also help us meet the needs of others? Verse thirty-four declares, And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. Jesus asked them what did they have, The disciples replied that they had seven loaves and a few little fish. When we look to God to meet our needs, we need to bring all that we have to Him, no matter how little that may be. Verse thirty-five states, And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. Once again, the multitude had to listen to Jesus and He told them to sit. If we are going to be blessed by Jesus, we must first do what He commands us to do. Verse thirty-six adds, And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. Jesus first blessed the food, and then He broke it apart and gave it to the disciples to distribute to the multitude. Verse thirty-seven says, And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. After everyone ate, the disciples took up seven baskets full of leftovers, The other time Matthew spoke of feeding a multitude, there was less to start with and more left over, but both were equally a miracle, because Jesus took what they had and not only met the need but did so with more than enough. There was no wasting in either case. Verse thirty-eight continues, And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. Also, this time a fewer people were feed. Jesus can only meet the needs of those who come to Him. Verse thirty-nine concludes, And he sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala. Jesus sent the multitude away and once again left on a ship. After we are spiritually fed by Jesus, we need to go out into the world and witness for Him. As followers of Christ, wherever we go, the Holy Spirit will go with us.
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