Introduction
This is the word of the Lord, Matthew 14:13-21
Matthew 14:13–21 ESV
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”
18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”
19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.
21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Let us pray!
This past week, the Supreme Court made some heart-breaking judgments on the issue of abortion, and I was compelled in my heart to write an article on if abortion was compatible with the Bible.
I posted it on my blog and passed it around to friends and family, and it has been garnering reactions, both positive and negative.
And preparing this sermon has been an encouragement for me, for in it I see what God can do in desolate places.
So, I titled the sermon – The God of desolate places.
Exegesis
Following the death of John the Baptist, about which we learnt last week, we now read in Matthew 14:13
Matthew 14:13 ESV
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
• Matthew’s narration of this event seems to suggest that Jesus chose a desolate place to withdraw into because of a measure of grief and sorrow over the news of John’s death.
• But grief over John’s death may not be the only reason for this. It could also be because Jesus recognised what the death of the Baptist signalled – his own death on the cross.
As John was the forerunner for Jesus, preparing the way for the Lord, he was to be his forerunner even to the grave.
• However, this alone does not appear to be the reason for why Jesus withdrew. We read, in Mark 6:31
Mark 6:31 ESV
31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.
Mark makes no mention of John’s death. In fact, none of the other Gospel accounts emphasise on John’s death, except Matthew.
So it seems that more than some things were indeed happening at that time. Jesus and his disciples were hard at work tending to the many that were coming to Jesus that they had no leisure to eat. Working without lunch or tea break, they would have been tried and exhausted when John’s disciples came and broke the news to Jesus.
May I point out here that Jesus, our High Priest who is able to sympathise with us according to Hebrews 4:12-16, knows what it is like to receive bad news at an inconvenient time. It wasn’t a bright and sunny day with little work when Jesus heard about John’s death. It was amidst toil and pain.
• From the other Gospel accounts we also know that Jesus did not withdraw into the desolate place by himself, but with his disciples. They did so with a desire to rest because of all the strain from serving the people, and the news of John’s death would have only deepened their burdens.
• But the crowds would not be rid of him. So desperate were they to be touched by him that they flocked to him in great numbers. In fact, they went ahead of him and were waiting for him ashore. And many came on foot a long way.
Matthew 14:14 ESV
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
• The crowd was indeed great and both Matthew and Mark number five thousand men excluding women and children. John MacArthur points out that it is quite possible that there were around twenty-five thousand people total.
• Jesus had compassion on them. When we have a packed schedule, we know how irritated we get if our children come nagging after us.
But Jesus had compassion on them. In fact, Mark tells us in Mark 6:34
Mark 6:34 ESV
34 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Their lack of a guide, a shepherd, as though his people were fatherless, moved Jesus to want to serve them more. So he taught them and healed their sick.
But as I mentioned last week, it also appears that Jesus decided to intensify his work post the news of John’s death as though the Baptist’s death was some kind of signal, maybe a reminder of things to come for him, and the two miracles that Matthew accounts in this chapter are two of the most profound miracles Jesus performed – the feeding of the five thousand and the walking on water.
In fact, these were two of the most Messianic miracles that displayed Jesus’ power beyond the healing of diseases, and likened him much to the prophets of old. The power of God was on him in a manner that the people there had only read in the OT.
So much was the impact of this miracle that John tells us in John 6:14-15
John 6:14–15 ESV
14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.
John also points out that all this was premeditated. John 6:5-7
John 6:5–7 ESV
5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?”
6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”
So, it would seem that when Jesus and his disciples were worn out from service that at the news of John’s death, Jesus determined to cross the sea and go to a desolate place where he knew the crowds would still gather. Whatever rest the boat ride would give them would be enough, but it was time for his disciples and for the people to see who he is.
The forerunner’s ministry had ceased, and had no more part in Redemptive history. The one who came to make way for the Lord died, and it was now time to see the Lord unveiled.
Oh that you and I would recognise this Jesus for who he really is and what he can really do. Many of us today know so much and believe so little. Does our faith rise like a puff of smoke that disappears as soon as it appears, or does it descend like an anchor into the depths of our being and leave us unmoved in our trust of this Saviour?
Matthew 14:15 ESV
15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
• They were right in calling it a desolate place for it was the Master’s intention to be there. This was Jesus’ plan all along. Can you now see a connection between this miracle and Jesus’ choice to be there?
Oh but I wonder if this were a cosmic sign to the ends of the universe to every realm of dominion, both holy and demonic, that out of the desolation of the tragic death of John the Baptist, came the abundance of nurture, sustenance & provision.
The great Baptist had finally died as the birthday present of a teenage girl, beheaded, his head was given to her on a platter, a colossal defeat? Indeed not. For here is Jesus’ response, the bread of life still draws breath in the land, and his power is beyond all measure.
John’s death was like a curtain drawn, and what they saw within was sheer glory.
• The day was fading, and the evening was upon them, and the disciples to send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.
This, even after Jesus’ question to Philip. None of them recalled the great story of the wilderness in Exodus 16.
Exodus 16:1–5 ESV
1 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt.
2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness,
3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.
5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.”
• The wilderness of Sin is only the name of the place and has nothing to do with the English word sin. However, we will take it as a sign, a symbol for indeed we who walk today walk in the wilderness of sin.
• God rained bread from the heavens to satisfy their hunger.
Exodus 16:9–15 ESV
9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’ ”
10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud.
11 And the Lord said to Moses,
12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’ ”
13 In the evening quail came up and covered the camp, and in the morning dew lay around the camp.
14 And when the dew had gone up, there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as frost on the ground.
15 When the people of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, “It is the bread that the Lord has given you to eat.
• He gave them bread and meat, in the wilderness. What you have in the passage of Exodus is God choosing to lead his people into a desolate land where they would have no provision for food and in their need they would have to turn to him.
Firstly, it must seen that the people went willingly into the wilderness, while there are many among us who would not even venture so far out of the fear of how we are to face the hunger of those lands. Our strategies start with securing our provision before we do anything else when our strategies ought to start with Jesus.
Beloved, do you not know that if you believe that God is leading you to do something and you have justifiable cause for that belief, then you need not start by planning for your sustenance, but by prayer start doing that which he has called you to do?
I posted in a forum recently that when we planted this church we didn’t even know that we needed money. We were too ignorant or foolish that we never planned for it. Had we been worldly wise, we probably would have done what many church planters do today. God has provided for us for 7 years now, and today, we have the opportunity to support another church, while I know church planters who’ve been waiting for the same period of time to raise the provision for planting a church, and they are still waiting.
Manna and Quail!
• I know the common response to this. “But that does not mean we must be foolish”. And this is what I say to those who say this. You definitely need to learn to be foolish in this regard.
No one is suggesting that we be unwise. Trusting in Jesus for provision when you have to walk into a wilderness is unwise you think? Trusting in the provisions of man before you obey his command is wisdom you think?
Oh far be it from those of you who believe that. May you find no success outside of your trust in Christ. We don’t live miraculously because we don’t believe in the God of miracles.
Come now and behold the power of God at work in Matthew 14, as Jesus now leads the people as he once led them in the wilderness. Jesus is the true and better Moses who has now been advised by his disciples to send the people back to their homes to fend for themselves.
Matthew 14:16 ESV
16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.”
• There is no need for the people to go. Their needs could be met here in the emptiness of the wilderness. He was there.
• Jesus tells his disciples to give them something to eat. When the Messiah makes such a remark the expected response is not what the disciples gave. They looked to the little they had and how it would not satisfy instead of looking to Jesus who could satisfy.
Matthew 14:17 ESV
17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.”
• No, they did not have only five loaves and two fish, they had Jesus. So drowned were their senses with the desolation of the land and the size of the crowd, they did not seek the provision of the Lord.
How often do we find ourselves doing the same thing? We of all the peoples of this world should be unfaced by the turmoil of life and work because we know the provision of God.
• Look not on the little you have and sigh, but pray. Pray that God would stretch his hand to bless and fill you, to provide for you. When you walk in desolate lands he is your promise. His word is your safety. And our Lord always keeps his promise.
Desolate lands and wildernesses are not strange to him. He is both Lord and Life in these places. When you feel trapped, you aren’t. When you feel like you’re drowning you won’t if only you will look to him.
Matthew 14:18 ESV
18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”
• Oh bring your little to Jesus. Offer him the little of all you have and watch him make much of all that. Give him the little faith you have, the little food you have, the little joy you have, the little strength you have, the little hope you have, and watch him provide for your needs.
There is no need for you to go anywhere, in the desolate lands the waters will flow.
• Sounds like Mike’s first prosperity sermon eh? No. The prosperity gospel is man’s plan for himself in the name of God. It is an arm-twisting doctrine trying to force God to comply to his promises according to their terms.
But resisting the prosperity gospel does not mean that you have to throw out the many promises of God. Or that you should not ask him for what he has indeed promised for his people.
We ask these things and pray for these things not in order to make much for or of ourselves, but to make much of his glory. Anything else, we do not and should not want.
Only you Jesus, only you! You are the God of desolate places. There is no domain you do not rule, no kingdom that you do not subdue, no power that you do not conquer, and no being that can stay your hand.
Matthew 14:19–21 ESV
19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.
21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
• Jesus blessed the food they were going to have. Here is a good verse for if someone asks you why it’s a good practice to pray and bless the food before you have it.
Remember, there are possibly around 250,000 people in that crowd. There is no way in which food for all that people could have been filled into two baskets. Jesus blessed and broke the loaves, most likely only the five that were given to him.
But when the disciples began distributing, the baskets were never empty. They kept taking out bread and fish and the basket kept giving them more bread and wine.
Even the distribution of the bread and fish was an act of faith. The provision met the need of each person at the point of distribution.
• The baskets were never empty. In fact they did not decide when to stop distributing depending on when the baskets stopped giving food, but the baskets stopped giving food when the people all ate and were satisfied.
Jesus is the true and better Moses, who after feeding so many people had 12 baskets full of remaining food, probably signifying the 12 tribes of Israel and how the Messiah’s provision would meet the needs of all as Moses’ did for the 12 tribes.
Conclusion
Jesus is not only the true and better Moses, but the true and better bread.
John 6:48–51 ESV
48 I am the bread of life.
49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.
50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Jesus is not only the ultimate Provider but the ultimate Provision as well. He gives us not just our daily needs, but he give us Himself.
Beloved the Good News of the Gospel is so much a good news that we do not see.
This Messiah, God of glory, unveiled in that desolate land, who provided for 250,000 people is the One who now dwells inside of us and call our bodies his holy temple.
