Cover image via Gospel Media Library.
In Matthew 14, Jesus Christ fed five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five loaves and two fishes. In the very next chapter, four thousand men, plus women and children, were listening to Christ. The Savior said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way” (Matthew 15:32). You would think that the disciples would say, “Do another miracle,” but instead they respond, “Where will we get enough bread to feed so many people?” (see Matthew 15:33).
“What?” we might say. “Have you already forgotten the previous miracle? Don’t you remember the five thousand? Surely the Lord can feed four thousand!” But the disciples seem to have forgotten that the Savior’s power is more than sufficient. Partly because the disciples’ reaction seems so incongruous, some believe that the feedings of the five thousand and the four thousand are simply two versions of the same event. Or maybe the disciples remembered the miracle but did not want it to appear that they were expecting it. Given my own experience with forgetting the miracles God has done for me, I think it’s also possible that the disciples, like me, didn’t deeply remember the miracle Christ had previously performed. They might have cognitively remembered it, but they had not engraved it in their hearts.
In order to remember the miracles I’ve seen, I’ve mimicked Hebrews 11 by making my own “greatest hits of faith,” recounting miracles I have personally seen. I wrote it in a similar style to Hebrews 11—I touched on the experience, but did not mention the details.
You might considering writing down your greatest hits of faith, gathering even a couple can help fan the flame of faith.
For more insights on this week’s Come Follow Me, please visit https://johnhiltoniii.com/teaching-helps-for-come-follow-me-matthew-15-17-mark-7-9/
Here are a couple of useful clips for your Come, Follow Me study this week:
