Matthew 14:13-21 – THERE IS A TIME
(I gave this message on a Wednesday night. I asked lots of questions of my audience. I have left some of the questions in the outline to give you some ideas.)
Have there been times in your life when you’ve felt that you’ve needed a break or had to slow down, or even get away?
What are the signs that you need a break?
We can’t always go on long vacations. What are some simple things we can do to get a break?
As busy as Jesus was, he knew when it was time for a break.
There were actually two contributing factors to Jesus taking his disciples away for a break.
The first contributing factor is mentioned in Vs. 13.
What were the “things” that had happened?
King Herod had murdered John the Baptist. John’s disciples buried him and then reported to Jesus.
How do you think John’s death and the manner in which he died affected Jesus and His disciples?
The second contributing factor towards the need for a break is found in Mark 6:30-31 – “And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat.”
The disciples had been on a preaching tour around the same time as John the Baptist was killed. They came back to report to Jesus after a very busy time. And yet there were many people coming and going and Jesus saw the need for them to have a break.
As we consider what happened during this “break” we want to consider 3 times in our lives.
THERE IS A TIME TO RETREAT – Vs. 13
We’ve already stated the two reasons for Jesus calling for the retreat. First, the news about John the Baptist had been shared. Secondly, they were so busy there was no time even to eat.
When we are overworked it’s time to retreat.
When our emotions are shot it’s time to retreat.
When we feel the burden of sin in our lives it’s time to retreat.
When we need to mourn, it’s time to retreat.
When our Spiritual gas tank reads “empty” we need to retreat.
We can’t give to others what we don’t have ourselves.
Retreat is more than physical rest and refreshment.
Retreat should mean time with the Creator.
Retreat should mean time with the Master.
Retreat should mean Spiritual renewal. Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 27:14, Psalm 130:5-6, Romans 15:4, John 14:27
Sometimes our retreats can not be very long. Some retreats will be very brief, and for Jesus and the disciples, it appears that the only retreat they got was just the ride across the lake.
THERE IS A TIME TO RESPOND – Vss. 14-16
According to Vs. 13, the people followed Jesus on foot. He ended up in a desert place, with a multitude.
Imagine Jesus getting out of the boat, already swarmed by hundreds, if not thousands of people. He was bringing his disciples aside for a retreat.
How could Jesus have responded?
Vs. 14 – How did He respond?
With Compassion
He healed and taught them.
Mark 6:34 – “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”
But may I remind you, that our response of compassion should be strongest towards those who are without Christ. What specific ways can we show compassion to an unbeliever?
Vs. 15 – It was getting later in the day, and the disciples approached Jesus to send them away. There was no food, and it was going to be dark soon in a desolate place. This was the easy way out, but not the way of compassion. The disciples were good at the easy way out.
Warning! We can always find an easy out if we want to. The easy way out will keep us from getting personally involved. The easy way out will not require us to use much faith at all.
Vs. 16 – Jesus response was that they didn’t have to leave. He told the disciples to feed them!
Why do you think Jesus said that?
How should Jesus statement effect our thinking?
Perhaps we shouldn’t be so quick to not attempt what appears to be impossible!
THERE IS A TIME TO RELY ON JESUS – Vss. 17-21
Vs. 17 – What the disciples considered to be the problem was actually the solution. They only had five loaves and two fishes.
To them that was the problem.
We do the same thing. We only look at our feeble resources instead of considering what Jesus can do with them.
We look at our limited ability to witness instead of considering what Jesus can do with that ability.
We look at our limited ability to teach instead of considering what Jesus can do with that ability.
We look at our limited ability to serve without considering what Jesus can do with that ability.
Vs. 18 – Jesus now told the disciples to do what was actually what He wanted them to do in the first place. They were to bring the five loaves and two fishes to Jesus!
It would be Jesus who multiplied the food!
It would be Jesus who fed the multitude.
All Jesus wanted was their faith in Him!
This is exactly the way Jesus works today.
We are to bring the little ability we have and surrender it to Him.
As we surrender it to Him, he will multiply it! John 12:24-26, John 14:12-15
Vss. 19-20 – Mission Accomplished!
THERE IS A TIME TO RETREAT – Vs. 13
THERE IS A TIME TO RESPOND – Vss. 14-16
THERE IS A TIME TO RELY ON JESUS – Vss. 17-21