HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in MatthewSample

Healing Brings Praise

Jesus had just been in the region of Tyre and Sidon. He came back to the Sea of Galilee and sat down on a mountainside. Once he got there, crowds came looking for healing.

They did not come to hear a good sermon or message. They came seeking a man who they believed could heal their loved ones. For three days, they brought the lame, blind, mute and crippled all to be healed. The miracle was that Jesus healed them all. This resulted in a huge praise party for God. 

But then another miracle was yet to come. These people had not eaten in three days and instead of Jesus sending them home hungry, He had compassion on them. He asked his disciples what they had available to them - seven loaves of bread and a few small fish. 

What’s beautiful in this passage is that we never see the reproduction of the fish and loaves all in one place. Instead, Jesus breaks the loaves and passes them on to the disciples, who in turn, break their pieces and pass them on, and it continues until everyone is fed and seven basketfuls are left over. In the end, because a few people surrendered their last meal, 4,000 men plus women and children had their fill.

Notice they started with seven loaves and ended with seven basketfuls. Jesus used their offering and multiplied it beyond their need.  

Questions:  

1. What was the end result of healing the multitudes of people?

2. What are the lessons that we can learn from this story about trust and surrender?

3. Is there something in your life that you are holding on to that God can use to help others?