DAY 18: TEST ANSWER- The Chosen 40 Days with Jesus - Book 2 - (Matthew 15:32-34) … See My Note …

DAY 18: TEST ANSWER

NOTE: I might have forgotten to say that the feeding of the five thousand starts in Matthew 14:13-33, and I was making comparisons to the feeding of the four thousand in which tonight's reflection was mainly about.

Matthew 15:32-34

Feeding the Four Thousand

32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

33 Then His disciples said to Him, “Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?”

34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?”

And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.”

This second feeding of the four thousand should not be confused with the first seen in (Matthew 14:22-33- and see Matthew 14:13-33),

because they are both two distinct miracles- (see also, Matthew 16:8-10). Let's pay attention to the variance in the number of loaves because it's very significant. In the first feeding of the five thousand seen in Matthew 14:17, there were five loaves, and in which is symbolizing the Law, while here in the feeding of the four thousand, there are seven - (v. 34). Seven symbolizes completeness so here it's indicating spiritual perfection. In the first feeding Christ reveals Himself as fulfilling the Law, while here in this feeding He shows that He is the One Who grants spiritual perfection. Crowds had also been with Christ for three days - (v. 32), which this is the time in which He rested in the tomb after His crucifixion.

Matthew 14:13-33: THE FEEDING OF THE FIVE THOUSAND & WALKING ON THE WATER

Matthew 14:17: 17 And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

Matthew 16:8-10: But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you [a]have brought no bread? 9 Do you not yet understand, or remember the five loaves of the five thousand and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up?

TEST QUESTION: seen in (v. 34) - Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?" And they said, "Seven, and a few little fish."

Jesus was again testing their faith He simply just wanted them to hand over the little they and He would do the rest. It's our faith that makes things happen.

Prayer Focus from the devotional

Thank God for His compassion and endless patience. Ask Him to continually teach you how to respond. Thank Him for taking your "not enough" and turning it into "the more than you need."

MOVING FORWARD QUESTIONS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL - SEE MY VIDEO FOR THE ANSWERS AND DISCUSSIONS ...

What repeated failure has God used to shift your focus back to Him?

How has He shown you compassion in His response?

In what ways have your experience with Jesus taught you to more effectively minister to others?

Numbers 6:24-26

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

26 The Lord [a]lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.” ’

In Christ love Jared W Campbell