A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

YOU GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO EAT      

Matthew 14:16 (Read verse 15-21) “ . . . You give them something to eat.” 

After ministering to the health needs of the crowd, the disciples became anxious about another need of the people. It was getting late. The people would need to eat their evening meal. The disciples knew they did not have enough food to feed such a large crowd. They urged Jesus to send the people away so they had time to find food. 

Jesus responded to the disciples by telling them they should feed the people. How in the world could they ever find enough food? There were no restaurants, no fast-food places and being the wilderness, not even enough homes where they might find food for the crowd. They did think to search throughout the crowd to see how many had brought food with them. That too failed. They only found five loaves of bread and two fish. 

“Bring the bread and fish to Me,” Jesus said. After arranging the crowd Jesus blessed the bread and fish. He then divided the bread and fish, gave the divided portions to His disciples to distribute to the people thus feeding them all with a surplus of twelve baskets of left overs. 

“You feed them!” There are many in your community and throughout the world who are lacking sufficient food. God gives you your daily bread. You know He gives you not only what you need, but a surplus. Remember Jesus’ words in yesterday’s devotion, “Whatever you do to the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto me.” Included in Jesus words is the feeding of the hungry. (See Matthew 25) 

Prayer: Lord, fill my heart with compassion for the hungry. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

We give Thee but Thine own, Whate’er the gift may be;  
All that we have is Thine alone, A trust, O Lord, from Thee. 

May we Thy bounties thus As stewards true receive  
And gladly, as Thou blesses us, To Thee our first-fruits give! 

Oh, hearts are bruised and dead, And homes are bare and cold,  
And lambs for whom the Shepherd bled Are straying from the fold. 

To comfort and to bless, To find a balm for woe,  
To tend the lone and fatherless Is angels’ work below. 

The captive release, To God the lost to bring,  
To teach the way of life and peace, It is a Christ-like thing. 

And we believe Thy Word, Though dim our faith may be;  
Whate’er for Thine we do, O Lord, We do it unto Thee.  

We Give Thee But Thine Own // LSB 781