Dining Out

Dining Out Matthew 15:29-39

Now, I’m going to give away my age a little here. Some younger folks say I wish I could afford XYZ like my parents used to. But when I was a kid, do you remember going out, like almost ever? Our family would go to a restaurant maybe once every 3 months. But we were all allowed only to eat certain things, etc. Dining out was a huge deal. Today we blow all kinds of cash on it but it was truly a rare thing. Here, we see a dinining experience we would all love to have!

Matthew 15:29–31  NKJV  “ Jesus departed from there, skirted the Sea of Galilee, and went up on the mountain and sat down there. 30 Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them. 31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.”

(map JVC) So jesus goes through the gentile cities on the coast, reaching out to the Jews first, but so many gentiles are coming to Him.

The multitude, a mixed crowd of people were glorifying the God of Israel. And Jesus shows His concern for them all and most scholars agree that gentiles from these nations, especially after the woman's daughter was healed, follow.

Matthew 15:32–33  NKJV  “ Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

Jesus again, shows that compassion - splanchnizomai - pity, compassion from ones gut. Caring so much it hurts. Someone that reminds me of is Kenny and Lee and Sav in Uganda. Kenny, who is on a shoestring if anything - found out one of their students (who was practically homeless) was very sick. He cared so much about that kid, he took the last of their finances - and literally because he knew in his gut that kid was gonna die if they didnt help, they paid for ultrasounds and scans at two diff hospitals. The second one caught that it was appendix and that it had burst. Insane.

Because they had continued with. travelled with? Taught for 3 days? None the matter, whatever grub they had would've been gone by now.

The peoples trip home is long enough (back to the gentile cities?) that they might pass out from lack of food on the way back.

Jesus has compassion for you. When you are in need, he feels it. And sometimes to allay that, we just need like the apostles, to ask.

33 Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?””

Its hours away from somewhere to but that much food, there might be places close by that could maybe feed 12. But not over 4k.

Even though they know what happened before, they either forgot or they want to see what Jesus wants them to do. Look back at Matthew 14:14, 21  NKJV  “—14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. —21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”

the multitude here is more than just people going to a jewish festival. Though we are getting close to that time (Passover)

Matthew 15:34  NKJV  “ Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.””

What’cha got? This time, the disciples are Johnny-on-the-spot and they have food ready to go.

now some might try to make a point that it was 7 fish, and I might think about it a little as well, because they do give a specific number.

7 is a very common number throughout the scripture. Often its the number of completion. I don’t want to speculate too much about it since the text itself doesn't mention, so I won’t lol. (Now if you are wondering there were 5 loaves and two fish in 14:19, 7 items :) except to say if this is the fulness it might relate to Jesus saying came to fulfill the law/prophets (5:17).

Matthew 15:35–36  NKJV  “ So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude.”

Again, we and everyone there make the comparison to the journey of Israel in the wilderness in Exodus 16, with God providing for the children of Israel. However, here we see more than just Israel. Jesus God, provides for those who come hear.

I don’t want to presume that every single person eating, believed. Yet, all were fed. Jesus is the provider. Yahweh Yireh words spoken by Abraham when he said to Issac, The Lord will provide the sacrifice.

Jesus had passed some of the miracle working abilities to the disciples but never had they done anything like this. Nor would they. But how many millions have been fed and ministered to by the hands and feet of Christ in the world? God has surely fulfilled His Word through the Word, Jesus our Messiah. To every people, tribe and nation. You are His disciples. And we minister to the multitudes.

Matthew 15:37–39  NKJV  “ So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets (like clothes hamper) full of the fragments that were left. 38 Now those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 And He sent away the multitude, got into the boat, and came to the region of Magdala.”

Imagine seeing this as a disciple or one of the people in the crowd, being filled. Seeing Jesus bless a basket and so many being fed from that un-ending basket. As Filled as the baskets.

Seven baskets left. Again, completion, fullness. Now, I don’t think Jesus told everyone get out, go home, etc. But he sent them away, seeing an incredible series of events that would be told in their families for centuries. That would bring many to believe forever.

Now - they collected the fragments - they didn't waste the gift. It would be food for the mission, those in need, etc. And though we might not be Jews, Gods gifts have always been for those that Love Him. And Jesus said He Matthew 5:45b  NKJV  “ …for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Now we see it says they went across to Magdala (map JVC 02) there are some arguments about the actual locale, some texts say Magadan, etc. They go to the other side, most likely the west (see map) some scholars say Magadan corruption of Magdala or vice-versa. Either way it was known at the time.

In Closing: Chapter 15 has been wild. Worship with no heart. Holiness comes from in us, God wants our heart and is super blessed by faith, in anyone. Systems are never a replacement for God. This miracle is prophetic, pointing at a savior calling to all not just a certain ethnic group. But that he keeps His word, fulfills his promises and loves you so.

Warren W. Wiersbe said, “We dare not limit Christ to any one nation or people. The Gospel came “to the Jew first” (Rom. 1:16), but today is for all men in all nations. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13).”

Thats real love that is still pure, relects the Law. A Holy, pure God, who needs no one, came to earth to save us and give us a return path to fellowship with Him, with the living God. You can have that fellowship if you would trust Him completely with your salvation, your eternity. Come as you are, leave entirely new.