St Matthew 15: 29 – 39
Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”
His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
Reflection
Whenever I read these words I visualise crowds climbing up the mountainside to reach Jesus. People eager to be first, running ahead, perhaps trampling the toes of fellow climbers in their haste. Others, hesitant, pulled along by the surging crowd, and some, stumbling. In their midst, loving souls, believing everyone matters, help any blind, lame, voiceless, or weary folk, up the mountain. Focussing on Jesus’ love, their own limitations and inadequacies are forgotten. Drawing closer to Jesus, I share their healing joy, but find myself intrigued by ”And they praised the God of Israel!”
Matthew’s feeding of the five thousand near Bethsaida (in chapter 14) is in contrast to this feeding of four thousand in the region of Decapolis. In the first, Jewish people worship the God of Israel and, in the second, mostly Gentiles, who worship idols, are fed. Perhaps the Gentiles were so amazed at being healed they respected and saw in Jesus (even though appearing before them as a man) the God of Israel?
Sharing these two miracles, Matthew highlights the compassion of Jesus for all people regardless of background, status, faith, and His concern for the hungry. The setting in Decapolis identifying Jesus’s love is not just for Jews but for everyone.
Seven loaves reminds me that Jesus is the bread of Life sustaining and providing beyond our expectations. Some link this also to the seven days of Creation when God created all things, or perhaps the seven baskets and leftovers represent the seven churches in Revelation – and a call to mission for ourselves today? (Matthew 28:19-20)
There are hints of the Great Commission, Jesus asking His disciples to take his teaching and love to every nation and people. Today’s powerful message is one of universal love challenging us to reach beyond divisions, walls of injustice and segregation, speaking for those silenced and oppressed. It contains a promise of a world where no one lives in fear, but all are valued and loved.
Prayer
Jesus,
the magnitude of suffering worldwide overwhelms
and we feel helpless,
yet you care deeply knowing each individual –
hurting, or afraid.
Even in these darkest times,
love is shining in hearts of all who honour humanity,
living your love on earth.
Give us courage,
to climb the mountains of life with you,
be light, hope in others’ darkness
knowing you hold us in your love forever! Amen!