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

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Then Jesus called his disciples and told them, "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way."

The disciples replied, "Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?"

— Matthew 15:32-33 NLT

Key Thought

I'm not big on summer reruns of TV programs. Jesus isn't too keen on reruns either. After having fed the 5000, it seems reasonable for the disciples to get the hint here. They don't! Despite experiencing the previous miraculous feeding of a larger crowd of people, the disciples don't presume to have an answer even though Jesus 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, 20-21
  • Colossians 1:28-29
  • 1 John 1:8-2:2

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 15:32-33 NLT — "I feel sorry for these people. They have been here with me for three days, and they have nothing left to eat. I don't want to send them away hungry, or they will faint along the way."

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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 and is available in book form.

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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