Matthew 14:14-18, 20 So when JESUS came out of the wilderness, a vast crowd was waiting for HIM and HE pitied them and healed their sick. That evening the disciples came to HIM and said, “It is already past time for supper, and there is nothing to eat here in the desert; send the crowds away so they can go the villages and buy some food.” But JESUS replied, “That isn’t necessary---you feed them!”
“What!” they exclaimed. “We have exactly five small loaves of bread and two fish!”
“Bring them here,” HE said. Then HE told the people to sit down on the grass; and HE took the five loaves and two fish, looked up into the sky and asked GOD’s blessing on the meal, then broke the loaves apart and gave them to the disciples to place before the people. And everyone ate until full! [Living Bible translation]
BIBLICAL COMMENTS
A great deal of JESUS’ interactions with the disciples had to do with JESUS teaching them how to overcome their fears and doubts. This is an example.
“Immediately” before these events, JESUS and the disciples had all been at a mountainside gathering with over 5,000 people.1 JESUS was performing miracles, healing the sick. But, when it became late in the evening, past supper time, the disciples approached JESUS and suggested HE tell all the people to leave and go buy food, fearing a hungry crowd would become too unmanageable. But instead, JESUS calmly turned to the disciples and said: “That won’t be necessary, you feed them!”
Astonished, and probably looking at JESUS as if HE had “lost HIS mind,” the disciples proceeded to give JESUS what they thought was a simple lesson in mathematics. You could almost hear them saying in their minds: “Listen JESUS, there are 12 of us; at least 5,000 of them, 5 loaves and 2 fish.” Some of the disciples may have even been thinking “We don’t even have enough to feed our small group let alone this massive crowd!” But they just said: “We have exactly five small loaves of bread and two fish.” [Living Bible translation.]
JESUS response was just as straightforward. “Bring what you have to me.”
Then JESUS performed a miracle after the disciples and the people were obedient and followed HIS directions.”
Asking GOD’s blessings over what they had (5 loaves and two fish), JESUS fed everyone, with food to spare.
FEARS & DOUBTS
If you allow it to happen fear or doubt can be palpable (i.e., so intense it is almost tangible so that you can almost touch it). If one were to compile a list, many of these fears and doubts have been “on the list” a long time and are “common,” while other fears and doubts may be unique to our times. Such a list might include the following:
- Many students starting kindergarten and students going to a “new school” often have fears and doubts about the first day of school;
- Many students starting college may have fears and doubts about starting a new life in a different city, a new or more competitive academic program or feel anxious about being away from home, perhaps for the first time;
- Many parents, teachers, and educators are struggling with how to meet the challenges of teaching others the information, skills, values they need to live productive lives in their communities;
- Many adults are fearful about the Coronavirus, its huge death toll or have financial fears or other doubts related to the virus or its end or its lifetime effects;
- Many people around the world are being affected by climate change. They are suffering from increased heat, hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, desert conditions, and other environmental problems that have sparked fears and doubts in people about their safety.
- Many people are concerned about their governments. Protests and uprisings at home and abroad have sparked fears and doubt about justice, equality, fairness;
- Many people are concerned about their own survival or the survival of their loved ones.
If JESUS’ disciples were present today (and they still are) you could almost hear them say: “Listen JESUS, there about 7.8 billion people in the world and about 195 countries. Every day we are inundated with news about fears and doubts around the world. Each country, each state, each city, each village, and innumerable households around the world are dealing with problems. And, the list of fears and doubts is even longer for those who are homeless, incarcerated, suffering from mental illness, or institutionalized for other reasons. They are all hungry for something---peace, security, justice, love! It’s overwhelming!!!”
If you or others close to you have expressed these concerns, we can all take comfort in JESUS’s response to the disciples' “fears and doubts” in Matthew 14. Here are some of the reminders from this chapter:
- Have Compassion – Know that JESUS has compassion for all of our needs (whether it is a physical problem that needs healing or a problem like doubt and fear). Have a heart like JESUS for others, including for yourself. Be sensitive to the needs of children, adults, people you may not know, or other situations that are unfair or unjust. Don’t just ignore the problem because it seems “too much to deal with by yourself.” (Matthew 14:14)
- Examine Your Resources or What You Can do – Consider what you have or can do. What are your resources? Ask others to consider their resources and think about GOD’s resources too! (Matthew 14:17)
- Organize and Follow an Action Plan- And, make it clear to others, including those who need help as well as those who can help about your concern for others and put an action plan together. (JESUS organized everyone together around the problem HE was addressing. (Matthew 14:19)
- Pray Affirmatively – JESUS asked GOD’s blessings on the situation and “acted” as if GOD had already answered their prayer (i.e., Everyone was already in a position to eat a good meal!) And, they did indeed eat and were filled. Castaway doubt by expecting GOD to succeed! (Matthew 14:19-20)
- Don’t Be Afraid – Just as JESUS reassured Peter, JESUS reassures us! Have faith! (Matthew 14:27)
EXERCISE – TO REDUCE STRESS
There are a number of medical articles regarding the benefits of exercise to reduce stress. When we exercise, our bodies release chemicals called endorphins, which help to trigger a positive feeling in the body. Endorphins can even diminish the perception of pain. Exercise is almost like a sedative. Studies have shown that regular exercise may:
- Reduce stress
- Ward off anxiety and feelings of depression
- Boost self-esteem
- Improve sleep
- Strengthen your heart
- Increase energy levels
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve muscle tone and strength
- Strengthen and builds bones
- Help reduce body fat
- Make you look fit and healthy
See, “Exercise and Depression,” https://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/exercise-depression#:~:text=Regular%20exercise%20has%20been%20proven,Boost%20self%2Desteem. If you are concerned about your mental health, it may be useful to speak with your physician, a school counselor (if you are a student) about your concerns and even about what exercise program would be appropriate work for you given your age and physical condition.
Yoga and Tai Chi are low impact exercise programs that may be able to give a person a workout at any age and can be modified to suit many health conditions. There are many free exercise classes and YouTube exercise videos online.
REMEMBER- GOD CAN OVERCOME OUR FEARS and DOUBTS
GOD still understands our needs.
GOD still wants us to come to HIM with EVERYTHING.
GOD can overcome our fears and doubts.
GOD is still performing miracles.
Don’t be afraid to have compassion for others or yourself!
Trust GOD, have faith, and BE BLESSED!
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1Matthew 14:21 notes that there were about 5,000 men in the crowd that day, in addition to all the women and children!
