Matthew 14:13-21

The disciples were a funny group of people. They walked with Jesus, but they argued amongst themselves who was the greatest of them. They made ignorant request to sit at the right hand of Jesus on the day of his glory. They asked Jesus to send the Canaanite Woman away because they were embarrassed at the pleas of a woman on a public street. They told a blind man to be quiet and stand aside because their Lord was coming through on his way to his crucifixion. The disciples walked with Jesus, but failed the mission of their master on so many occasions.

The Passover meal is at hand and the disciples want to have their meal in peace with their Lord. After following Jesus all day long, they’re tired and this large group of poor, needy, afflicted, diseased, people will not leave. The people come in masses from far away places. They cross borders, rivers, and seas in the hopes of a better life. They ask Jesus to send this group of needy people away to fend for themselves. Let them go back to their towns on their side of the border. We do not even know if they are all Jewish. How can we eat with them? We only have five loaves and two fishes, our general fund is limited. Their numbers are growing but they must be able to sustain themselves because what we have belongs to us.

Jesus had something to teach the Disciples of Christ on this day. He tells them, you feed them and serve the mission of Jesus Christ. He took away what the Disciples had, looked up to heaven, and broke it. With his blessing he gave their precious bread back to them and ordered them to serve it. The disciples served the very people they wanted Jesus to send away back to their towns across the rivers, seas, and borders.

The mission of Jesus Christ is very often contrary to the mission of the disciples, but they learned that by having mercy and giving, all can eat and be filled. Thank you my Lord for your mercy, love, and sacrifice.