Limitation or opportunity?
by Ruth Olsen
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‘How many loaves do you have?’ Jesus asked (Matthew 15:34a).
Read Matthew 15:29–39
Previously in this chapter, there was an intense teaching and training time for the disciples, first regarding what makes a person ‘unclean’, and then the testing involved with the Canaanite woman. Now Jesus is back near the Sea of Galilee, walking in a remote mountainous area, with crowds of people tagging along – for three days already. There are no shops nearby. And many people have been healed.
Jesus calls his disciples and tells them of his concern for the people having nothing to eat. If you were walking in their sandals, what might you be thinking? Like them, wouldn’t we be looking at the limitations of the circumstances also, rather than asking, ‘Well, Lord, how do we do that?’
The feeding of the 5,000 is recorded in all four gospels, but the feeding of the 4,000 is only in Matthew and Mark. Some think they refer to the same happening, yet there are differences, such as their settings and the amount of leftovers. Also, there would have been plenty of remote places in Galilee and surrounding areas. Many people were following, spiritually hungry and, in this setting, physically hungry after three days.
In Matthew 14:15–18, as evening approached, the disciples wanted Jesus to send the people away to buy themselves some food from the villages. But Jesus says, ‘They don’t have to go. You feed them’. ‘We only have …’ ‘Bring what you have here to me.’ In both settings (including today’s reading), the miracle happens from the hands of Jesus through the hands of the disciples to the people. They all ate and were satisfied.
In both settings, the disciples saw what can happen in human situations of limitation. We may have been in circumstances of a tight budget. Many of us have. But that is the very place where we recognise the Lord’s provision, especially if we are willing to ask him.
Father, forgive our fear of our limitations. By your Holy Spirit, grow in us the courage to trust you in any situation of limitation so that it becomes an opportunity to recognise you at work. Thank you – in Jesus’ name!
Ruth lives in Adelaide with Steen, her husband of more than 50 years. Her autoimmune disorder is now under control, although kidney dialysis is currently a requirement three times a week. That swallows much time, yet the Lord is with her in the challenges. He is always faithful!
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