What Jesus Did! 'Re-runs?' — Matthew 15:32-33

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Jesus called his followers to him and said, "I feel sorry for these people. They have been with me three days, and now they have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry. They might faint while going home." The followers asked Jesus, "Where can we get enough bread to feed all these people? We are far away from any town."
— Matthew 15:32-33 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 15:32-33 NLT — "I feel sorry for these people. They have been with me three days, and now they have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry. They might faint while going home."

Key Thought

I'm not big on summer re-runs of TV programs. Jesus isn't too keen on re-runs either. After having fed the 5000, it seems reasonable for the disciples to get the hint here. They don't! With even greater resources and a smaller crowd than the first time, they don't presume to have an answer even though he is with them at the time. Thankfully Jesus didn't give up on them when they were slow in getting his message. For me, that's an important lesson to learn: I need to be more patient with people to improve, mature, and grow in their walk and not just give up on them when they don't "get it" as quickly as I think they should.

Today's Prayer

Merciful heavenly Father, thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you for your generosity in forgiving me of my sins. Thank you for blessing me with the Holy Spirit to help me mature and grow to become more like Christ. Please forgive me when I'm impatient with others when you have been so patient with me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Matthew 14:15-17
  • Colossians 1:28-29
  • 1 John 1:8-2:2

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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