Feeding Five Thousand And Then Some

INTRO.- When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.

Crowds of people followed Jesus. That’s not surprising, considering what He did and how He ministered to the people. Have you ever thought what it would be like to be famous?

ILL.- Take Clint Eastwood for example. He has starred in 46 films (appeared in 57), directed 25, and produced 20.

Eastwood said, “I don’t feel my life is that interesting, which is maybe why I became an actor.” He has been married twice, has five daughters and three sons by five different women. I’M SURE THAT WAS SOMEWHAT INTERESTING!

In summing up his own life, Eastwood said, “I just feel like I do a job. I’ve been lucky enough to work in a profession where I enjoy it and still do. Obviously I’m doing it still and I don’t seem to have any ambitions about retiring. If I do, I haven’t kind of found out about them yet, so maybe I’m just waiting until they retire me.”

What do you think of Clint Eastwood? I think he’s a rich, talented Hollywood actor who probably can’t go out in public very often without getting lots of looks and/or requests for an autograph.

The paparazzi won’t seem to leave the rich and the famous alone! And no doubt, after a short period of that kind of attention it would get old! Because most of us prefer a certain amount of privacy and peace!

Our Lord was popular in His day. Look at what He did: He healed the sick, raised the dead, etc. DOING THOSE THINGS WOULD MAKE ANYBODY PRETTY POPULAR!

We can’t begin to comprehend the attention that Jesus would get today if He were here and doing these kinds of things. The press and the public would never leave Him alone!

But Jesus didn’t seek after public attention or praise. Not like some people today. He ministered to people for their good, not His own good. He came not to be served, but to serve. He came to seek and to save the lost. He came to heal, bless and forgive! He came to give His life as a ransom for the whole world!

Our text deals with the feeding of the 5000 and then some. Talk about a big church dinner! That was it! But no pecan pie!

ILL.- A preacher and his wife decided to have the church deacons and their wives over for dinner. It was quite an undertaking, but the preacher and his wife wanted to be a good example for the leaders of their church. When it came time for dinner, everyone was seated and the preacher’s wife asked their little four-year-old girl if she would say grace. The girl said, "I don’t know what to say." Her mother said, "Honey, just say what I say." Everyone bowed their heads and the little girl prayed, "O dear Lord, why am I having all these people over for dinner! Amen!"

PROP.- Our text reveals the difference of thinking in the disciples’ and the Lord.

1- Jesus saw and had compassion

2- The disciples complained and were hungry

3- Jesus listened and met the need

I. JESUS SAW AND HAD COMPASSION

Matthew 14:13-14 “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”

We often see what we’re looking for and that’s all, nothing more.

ILL.- I may see a good-looking car down the street. You may be zeroed in on the driver or the way he or she is driving. Or the fact that the driver is talking on their cell phone. Jesus saw hurting people and had compassion.

ILL.- Actor Matt Damon Helps Form African Charity. Oct 17, 2006. Matt Damon (Ocean’s 12 and 13) went to the Sahara Desert to scout locations for a movie about long-distance runners. But when he got there, he took on another project: helping bring clean water to Africa.

Damon and the production team behind the upcoming documentary "Running the Sahara" created a charity to accompany their filmmaking expedition in Africa, which gets under way this month. During his preliminary visit to the continent, Damon, 36, said he "saw firsthand the effects of one of the largest public health issues of our time - the world water crisis which is at its worst in Africa."

Brothers and sisters, I have to hand it to actor Matt Damon. He went, he saw, he was touched and he wants to do something about the poor water condition in Africa. NOT EVERYBODY WOULD BE TOUCHED OR WOULD WANT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Jesus would. Matt Damon is.