My Daily Journal
Jews didn’t eat with gentiles, much less feed 4000 of them. But that is the miracle Jesus performs.
We saw on similar before, with the feeding of the 5000. So similar that it is easy to miss some of the differences.
The Jews sat of grass, the gentiles on the ground. This reminded me of the parable of the sower. The Jews were a field with existing growth, not to mention a number of weeds, but the gentile soil was barren and ready to be be planted.
The feeding of the 5000 had 12 baskets of food left over, the feeding of the 4000 had 7 baskets of food left over. Interesting that there were 12 tribes of Israel and 7 tribes of Canaan.
But I think most interesting and applicable to my life was the response of the Apostles. The apostles had not only been present at the feeding of the 5000, but they were in the middle of the whole thing. Now, just a very short time later, when Jesus turns to them in verse 32 and says, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” Not one of His disciples says, “no problem, we have some fish and loaves, let’s do that thing again.” Not one of them asked Him what to do, even though they now recognized and knew that He was the Son of God. Instead, their first response was totally self-reliant. “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
Before I get too harsh on the apostles, I need to confess – this is me. I know who Jesus is, but I don’t ask for miracles. I see the way He has miraculously provided for me and my family, and then the next day I begin worrying about how I’m going to figure things out on my own. I open my eyes and see limited resources instead of looking at things through the lens of faith and seeing unlimited possibilities.
There is a song I enjoy called, “Are you ready for a miracle?” If I’m honest, though, I am too like the apostles – most of the days the answer to the question is no, not really.
How can I make the knowledge of these passages part of my life? I can follow the example of the Canaanite mother. I can pray for miracles for myself and for others. I can not only pray, but I can pray with confidence in the One who has the power to perform those miracles. When I don’t hear an answer, I can keep praying, in faith. When I don’t understand something, I can be like Peter and ask. When I don’t have the strength to carry on, lest I may collapse on the way, I can sit at the feet of Jesus and not only be fed, but be satisfied, knowing that when He provides that provision is magnified. I can be ready for a miracle!
My Answers
13.
a.
Jews Gentiles
grass ground
5000 4000
started by apostle, started by Jesus
5 loaves, 7 loaves
2 fishes, some fishes
12 baskets, 7 baskets
b.
Better to get the left-overs, there is more left over than the first served
c.
trust and rely on Jesus alone, He has full power to provide for all my needs, I am blessed to help, not needed to help
The Notes are Good 
What a great discussion!