30: A Day to Remember (Mt 14:13-36)

Dad Jokes

I used to hate facial hair, but it grew on me.

Knock, knock. Who's there? A little old lady. A little old lady who? Hey, you can yodel!

Air used to be free at the gas station. Now it's $1.50. You know why? Inflation.

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Have you ever had a day to Remember…a moment forever burned into your memory - a day full of incredible, wonderful surprises…a day where God’s Presence and power was so evident that you finished the day worn out, but filled up? Today we get a glimpse of one of those unforgettable days for the disciples of Jesus.

In fact, the first account we are about to see is so significant that it is the only miracle of Jesus (except for His resurrection) that is recorded in all 4 Gospels. [1]

But before we see that, let’s catch the context from last week.

Matthew 14:12–13a (NIV)

John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place...

Jesus and his disciples are hurting and needed to get away for a while to mourn and rest. Just like us, they experienced tough times…yet, Jesus never doubted the Father’s love. We were reminded that

Hebrews 4:15–16 (NIV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Jesus experienced human weaknesses (exhaustion, hunger, thirst, disappointment, grief, betrayal, laughter, and tears).

Jesus felt what we feel, so He can sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus experienced real temptation as a real human being. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness being tempted by the devil (Mt 4:1-11). And after facing every temptation the enemy could throw at Him, Jesus remained without sin.

When we are experiencing weakness and facing temptation, we know where to turn - JESUS!

The God of the universe, the sovereign Creator of all kings, INVITES us to approach His throne, not to be judged for our GUILT, but to be welcomed into His GRACE. Knowing this, we can approach with boldness - having received the invitation from the King, Himself!

Now, with that background, remembering that Jesus & his disciples had taken a break from ministry, we see that will be short-lived.

Matthew 14:13b–14 (NIV)

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.

Jesus was emotionally drained and needed time away, but when a large crowd of needy people came to Him, Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick. Evidently, this wasn’t something that took a few minutes, but a few hours.

Further, Mark and Luke add that Jesus taught them many things about the kingdom of God (Mk 6:34; Lk 9:11).

So...

Matthew 14:15-19a (NIV)

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.

John’s gospel tells us that this food was “five small barley loaves and two small fish” belonging to a boy (Jn 6:9), probably not enough to satisfy one grown man.

A few years ago I was reading in the Old Testament - 2 Kings 4:42-44 - and I was surprised to see a similar story - how over 800 years before, a man brought 20 loaves of barley bread to the prophet Elisha. When Elisha’s servant asked why he would give this measly amount that would never satisfy 100 hungry men, Elisha told him to give it to them - AND that they would eat and still have some left over...and they did! God provided more than what was needed.

But now, Jesus starts - NOT with 20 loaves of barley bread, but with only a boy’s lunch, to try to distribute to 5,000+ people.

Matthew 14:19b-21 (NIV)

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.

Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus had his disciples divide them into groups of 50 (Lk 9:14).

How many groups of 50 would we have in here today? Maybe 2 or 3?

If that was only 5,000 men (which it was not), that would have been 100 groups of 50. That’s a pile of people!

And again, it was way more than that (as only men were counted) - If women and children were included in the number, scholars assume there could have been 10,000-25,000 people!

And they didn’t just taste some finger-foods. They got their bellies filled and they ate and were satisfied. Amazing! A little boy’s lunch feeds and fills up thousands and thousands!

Significantly, the twelve basketfuls left over, left one for each of Jesus’ apostles and was likely symbolic of Jesus providing for the 12 tribes of Israel.

This was a day to Remember! - as they learned a valuable lesson - that Jesus can take what little we have and turn it into something that impacts many, many more.

And beyond Matthew’s writing, John adds some insight for us here.

John 6:14 (NIV)

After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Hebrew people had awaited the prophet like Moses, one who God used to release the Israelites from slavery and provide for them in the wilderness for 40 years until they finally reached and owned the land now known as Israel. Some wondered if John the Baptist was “the prophet” (Jn 1:21, 25) and now all eyes shift to Jesus (Jn 6:14; 7:40).

Deuteronomy 18:18–19 (NIV)

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name.

Jesus is the “prophet like Moses” who speaks the words of God and feeds the people in the wilderness. And now, they’re thinking it’s time to make Jesus their king, hoping he would then conquer their Roman captors and make them free again. But that wasn’t the plan of Jesus.

John 6:14–15 (NIV)

After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.

Is it any wonder why they wanted to make Jesus King? Many are aware of the many things Jesus had done. Matthew has already recorded how

He had healed many different diseases including severe pain, seizures, paralyzed. Jesus had also kicked demons out of people (Mt 4:24, 12:22).

He healed a woman of a blood disease she had for 12 years (Mt 9:20-22)

and even raised a little girl from the dead (Mt 9:18, 23-26).

Jesus had even caused the blind to see and the mute to speak! (Mt 9:27-30, 9:32-33, 12:22).

And now the feeding of the 5000+?!!!!

Jesus had to be the long awaited prophet & Messianic King! But Jesus wouldn’t allow them to make him king by force.

Jesus would not wear the CROWN before He had bear the CROSS.

Matthew 14:22–23a (NIV)

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.

If Jesus, God in skin, needed to take time by himself to pray, maybe we need to do the same. I wonder if Jesus prayed for family & friends of John the Baptist. I wonder how much time he spent praying about the death that was awaiting Him.

Matthew 14:23b-24 (NIV)

Later that night, He was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

Remember that the disciples had previously experienced Jesus speaking to the wind and waves and all became calm. They were so amazed, asking, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”(Mt 8:23-27).

But this time…Jesus isn’t in the boat with them.

And there’s a song about that very moment - maybe you’ve heard it.

[JOKE - Gilligan’s Island Theme Song] It goes like this:

The weather started getting rough, The tiny ship was tossed, If not for the courage of the fearless crew, The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost. [oops…wrong song]

Well actually, there IS a song written about it - An old Psalm predating this event by 1000 years (Ps. 107:23-30).

Psalm 107:23–30 (LEB)

Those who went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the high seas; they saw the works of Yahweh, and his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and raised up a stormy wind, and it whipped up its waves. They rose to the heavens; they plunged to the depths. Their soul melted in their calamity. They reeled and staggered like a drunkard, and they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to Yahweh in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He made the storm be still and their waves became calm. Then they were glad because they grew silent, so He guided them to their desired harbor.

But this time Jesus isn’t on the boat, but Jesus amazes His disciples once again.

Matthew 14:25-27 (NIV)

Shortly before dawn [Greek term referring to 3-6am] Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Shortly before dawn is literally “the forth watch” (ESV, NAS), between 3-6am. In other words, they had been out on the lake all night, trying to make their way across. [2]

When the disciples see Jesus, they are suddenly were more afraid of JESUS than they were of the waves & wind!

Jesus speaks to them saying, “Take courage! I AM [literal Greek]. Don’t be afraid.” English speaking translators fill in the gap with “It is I” (NET, ESV, NIV, CSB) or “I am [here” (NLT)

“I AM” is a claim Jesus made of Himself (Jn 8:58), a phrase used of God in Ex 3:14.

Matthew 14:28–31 (NIV)

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Before we go railing on Peter, would YOU have stepped out of the boat? Nobody else did.

For a few brief moments, Simon Peter was trusting Jesus and doing what was normally impossible. But then, he simply took his eyes off of Jesus, looked at the scary circumstances surrounding him, got scared, and sunk.

You and I have never walked on water, BUT…we’ve followed in the footsteps of Simon Peter.

Why do WE doubt?

We too have taken our eyes off of Jesus and put them on our the circumstances surrounding us and vying for our attention - persecution, temptation, sickness, financial strain, broken relationships.

Oh that we would learn where to turn when the storms bear down on us.

So now, for the second time, Jesus does something on the Sea of Galilee that causes His disciples to recognize He is more than just a preacher and healer.

Matthew 14:32–33 (NIV)

And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

They haven’t figured it all out yet, but they knew one thing -Jesus was more than just a prophet & miracle worker.

He feeds thousands with a boys lunch.

He walks on water and gives us the power to walk with Him.

And when He’s with us, the storm ceases.

So, they bowed before Him - and worshiped him and vocalize what they are thinking, “You are the Son of God.”

I wonder if they remembered what what Job said when speaking about how powerful God is.

Job 9:8 (NIV)

He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

What a Day to Remember! And when the sun came up that morning, Jesus just kept being Jesus.

Matthew 14:34-36 (NIV)

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

You know, many people don’t turn to Jesus and call on Jesus until…until tough times come. May we be the ones who learn where to turn BEFORE tough times come.

When the wind blows strong & the waves break over our lives, may we remember the One who does little with much, the One calms our storms.

It took a storm for me to see Him

Max Lucado imagined what a journal would have been like if one of the disciples had made his entry on the morning after Jesus calmed the storm. The imaginary reflections strike a realistic chord of what that disciple experienced. He writes:

I had never seen Jesus as I saw him then. I had seen him as powerful. I had seen him as wise. I had witnessed his authority and marveled at his abilities. But what I witnessed last night I know I’ll never forget.

I saw God. The God who can’t sit still when the storm is too strong. The God who lets me get frightened enough to need him and then comes close enough for me to see him. The God who uses my storms as his path to come to me.

I saw God. It took a storm for me to see him. But I saw him. And I’ll never be the same. [3]

For some here, THIS could be A Day To Remember - the day that we turn from our sin and turn to Jesus, the day that we seek His help when our situation looks impossible, the day that we remind one another that Jesus cares…and so do we.

Christians, let’s be tactical to care for neigbors when they experience tough times.

Ask someone today, “How can I help you/pray for you today?”

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Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 2004), 514.

Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 381–382.

Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, 182.

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Discussion Questions

Read Matthew 14:12-14. Realizing that Jesus tried to find a quiet place after hearing of John’s death, what does the willingness of Jesus to teach and heal most of the day tell you about Him and His heart for others?

Read 2 Kings 4:42-44 & Matthew 14:14-21. How are these stories similar. Why is the story of Jesus feeding the people more remarkable than what Elisha did?

Read these passages (Mt 4:24; 9:20-22; 9:18, 23-26; 9:27-30, 32-33; 12:22). Then read John 6:14-15 (referring to Jesus feeding the 5000+). Why did the Jewish crowd want to make Jesus king by force? Why wouldn’t Jesus let this happen?

Read Matthew 14:22-23a. Why did Jesus feel the need to pray? Do you find it easy or difficult to make consistent time to pray? What might help someone grow in becoming more consistent in prayer?

Read Matthew 14:24-33. Have YOU ever been in a boat when the weather turned rough? If you were concerned, how did it impact your prayer life? What do we learn about Jesus & about our response to Him?

Why is it that so many people don’t turn to Jesus until tough times come? How can Christians be tactical to care for neighbors experiencing tough times?

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching?

What does God want YOU to do with what we studied today?

Share prayer needs and pray for one another.