If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my time studying Scripture, it’s that the stories are never quite what they seem.
The story from Matthew that describes how Jesus and the disciples fed the 5,000 is a story of miracles, of compassion, and even community.
But it’s also a story of our human tendency to act out of fear.
Often fear’s voice shouts louder than faith’s whimper.
We forget the context of this story every time we read it. Matthew chapter 14 begins with some tense political circumstances:
“Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus.”
This isn’t the attention the disciples want, and Matthew reminds us of this as he retells the story about a titillated Herod barbarically beheading another beloved prophet, John the Baptist. Jesus foresees that his work and teaching is apt to be construed as a threat to Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great who had murdered all the babies in an attempt to destroy the infant Jesus.
Thus, it is wise to pull his disciples off to a private place. “The addition of ‘privately’ means Jesus wishes to spend time alone with the disciples and prepare them for the terrible events soon to come.”*
But that conversation is cut short by the throngs of people.
Have you ever had to throw a party or simply host a guest while you were feeling rattled by a frightening event? Has there been a time when you received some harrowing news and yet you had to go through with a presentation or a performance? Gritting through your forced smile, worry and fear often overshadow whatever happy occasion you’re celebrating.
The disciples are distracted by fear all the while Jesus is healing and teaching and serving.
It’s possible that the ministry Jesus offers that day, calms their spirits, but when the sun starts to go down, their fears rise once again. They feel their impatience bubble because they want to continue their conversation with Jesus, alone.
They choose fear over faith.
Here’s how we know we’re acting out of fear instead of faith.
1. We don’t want to extend ourselves.
This isn’t a call to become overloaded, and the disciples aren’t being asked to over commit. However, they see a need, the people are hungry, and they first want to dismiss it.
Yet, “if they remembered the [first] miracle of the wine in Cana they should have asked Jesus to meet the need, not send the people away.”* When he instructs them to provide something to eat, Jesus is challenging the voice of fear that is telling them they won’t be or do enough.
Jesus doesn’t want them to believe this performance lie and he pushes them to continue the ministry of care that they’d begun.
2. We ignore options that feel risky.
When we’re acting out of fear, we believe the lie that what we have is never enough. “They see the size of the need and the smallness of the human resources available. They must learn to see as Jesus sees, who ‘recognizes the size of the need and the greatness of God’s resources available.”* We believe a lie that our possessions should always meet our needs and when they don’t we act in fear.
Our fear will never allow us to do miracles. And the disciples, who in two accounts had just returned from casting out demons, likely miss an opportunity that day to also multiply bread.
3. We focus on preservation.
When we’re in a situation infused with fear, we make safety and self-preservation a high priority. The disciples are feeling unsettled and collecting up the baskets may have helped relieve their anxiety. We don’t know why they did this and never hear of them taking the food with them or giving it away.
Sometimes when we’re making decisions based on fear, we believe the lie that we’re living in a time of scarcity rather than a time of abundance. But what these baskets really communicate is “that Messiah’s supply is so lavish that even the scraps of his provision are enough to supply the needs of Israel, represented by the Twelve.”*
Though we don’t see the disciples fear our first time through this story, what we do clearly see is the power and provision of Jesus, our compassionate savior who doesn’t remove us from our fear, but promises to be with us in the midst of it.
Where are you missing him in your own story today?
What does it look like to LIVE FEARLESS? I’m thrilled to announce my newest Adult Christian Coloring Book, Live Fearless.
Through the pages of Scripture, we discover just how much Christ wants us to live a life marked by faith instead of fear:
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you.” —Isaiah 41:10 (HCSB)
“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
—Luke 12:32 (ERV)“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” —Psalm 27:1 (NRSV)
“Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need.” —Philippians 4:6 (NLV)
Through these and other passages, God awakens us to His relentless presence. He infuses us with a peace that shifts us from fear to faith. Instead of being held hostage by worry and fear, we can move forward and live courageous.
The Live Fearless: Adult Coloring Book provides an opportunity for you to:
• Spend time praying and reflecting to grow in your relationship with God
• Commit Bible passages to memory to strengthen your faith
• Marinate in the truth of God’s faithfulness
• Discover your creativity as you express your love for God and the Bible
• Strengthen relationships as you invite others to create alongside you
• Share your fun artistry with others as you display your work
My hope and prayer is that you’ll unleash the creative talents God has given you. As you color and sketch, whisper the words, commit them to memory, and grow in courage to live fearless.
Buy LIVE FEARLESS: An Adult Coloring Book, now.
Buy a 10-Pack of Live Fearless for you and friends, now.
Grant R. Osborne, Matthew in Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, Clinton E. Arnold, ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010), 564.
D.A. Carson, “Matthew,” Matthew – Mark in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Tremper Longman, III. ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006), 390.
Michael J. Wilkins, Matthew in The NIV Application Commentary, Terry Muck, ed. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004), 515.
Carson, “Matthew,” 391.
