What Jesus Did! 'Blessed Beyond Resources' — Matthew 14:15-21

Saturday, July 12, 2025

That evening the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves."

But Jesus said, "That isn't necessary — you feed them."

"But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!" they answered.

"Bring them here," he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

— Matthew 14:15-21 NLT

Key Thought

Don't you just love it that the disciples who didn't think they could do anything to feed the whole crowd each got to pick up a basket full of pieces that were left over! Jesus has a way of using, teaching, and rebuking us all at the same time when we don't have faith that what needs to be done can be done with his blessing.

What doors of opportunity is the Lord opening for you to minister through right now? Are you afraid you don't have the resources? Remember - Jesus' power is great when the glory goes to God, ministry is for others, we pool our resources, we offer what we have to him, and we are motivated out of compassion!

Today's Prayer

Loving and gracious Father, give me courage and faith to believe you can bless my meager resources when I bring them to you. Forgive me for being so timid when you long to use me to minister for your glory. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Riders in the Storm
Article by Phil Ware
What do we do the calm vanishes and we're caught in the storm? Phil Ware shares a much-anticipated doctor's visit that didn't go like he had anticipated and turned his life from calm into a storm of great concern.
I Doubt It: You Feed Them
Article by Phil Ware
Will we hold a miracle in our hands? My experience says, “Yes!” Phil Ware continues his series on 'I Doubt it' focusing this week on Jesus' challenge to the apostles to feed the five thousand.
Whatever the Need
Article by Alan Smith
Are you ready to trust Jesus with your need? God longs to help supply us with our need, just as he did with the apostles trying to feed the 5000.

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 14:15-21 NLT — "Bring them here,"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, July 12, 2025

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Passion and Truth in Praise'
"Dear Beloved, Today you will read two powerful passages of praise. The first one is from Paul's letter to the Colossians. The second is from Paul's....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Worshiping in the Spirit' (Re. 1:10-11a)
"On the Lord's Day I [John] was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: ..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Holy and Blameless' (Ep. 1:3-4)
"Dear Father, King of an eternal kingdom, Thank you for giving me the greatest motivation in life. You have called me into your kingdom, the greatest...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God Works Through His Servants' (Acts 21:18-19)
"The next day [after arriving in Jerusalem,] Paul went with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present. After..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!