Jesus sighed for a little quiet and sought it amid the lonely hills across the lake. The crowds saw where His boat was making for, and hurried round the shore to greet Him. Without a sigh He put away the hope of rest and stillness, and set to work to heal and teach the unshepherded sheep.
This is not only a miracle but a parable. It is thus that the Creator is ever multiplying the slender stores left over from one harvest to produce another. It is thus that He will feed you and yours, if only you will trust him and not run hither and thither in panic. You need not depart from Christ in search of any good thing. All is in Him. When He bids us feed the crowds, He makes Himself ultimately responsible, but paves the way by forcing home the inadequacy of our resources apart from Him. It is as we break and distribute, that the living bread multiplies in our hands. The Church is the intermediary between the living Savior and the desperate hunger of the world. You may sit at the world's table and remain hungry. But at Christ's table you are filled. There is always more than enough left for the distributor. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 14
1Herod's opinion of Jesus 3Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded 13Jesus departs into a solitary place, 15where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes 22He walks on the sea to his disciples; 34and landing at Gennesaret, 35heals the sick who touch of the hem of his garment
Greek Commentary for Matthew 14:17
And they say unto him [οι δε λεγουσιν αυτωι] The disciples, like us today, are quick with reasons for their inability to perform the task imposed by Jesus. [source]
What do the individual words in Matthew 14:17 mean?
Greek Commentary for Matthew 14:17
The disciples, like us today, are quick with reasons for their inability to perform the task imposed by Jesus. [source]