But Jesus, aware of this, said, "O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." Matthew 16:8-11
In these three chapters Jesus' miracles had revolved around meeting people's physical needs. He also challenged His disciples to meet people's physical needs. The disciples realized He asked them to accomplish impossible tasks like feeding five thousand men with only a small amount of food. Jesus was continually seeking to have them realize the power of God.
This time the disciples are the ones lacking their physical needs. Jesus acknowledges, not the reality that they have no bread, but instead He tells them to beware of the bread that the Pharisees give. Instead of telling them God would supply their physical needs, he brings a spiritual truth to their attention. The disciples are not quick to apply the truth, however, and Jesus rebukes their lack of understanding. The point Jesus is driving home is, God obviously knows our physical needs so our focus should be placed on grasping our spiritual needs. In this case, the spiritual application is to not heed the teaching of those who are against God's principles. This conversation reveals Jesus is trying to get them to not focus on the miraculous physical provision of the multitudes, but to look past the physical and apply spiritual knowledge of God to everyday situations.
How many times do we cry for relief from the burden of our physical needs not being met. We acknowledge God can do miraculous things regarding our provisions, but that fails to satisfy our desire until we have it in hand. God promises repeatedly that we will not lack for anything we need. The disciples wanted to see their hunger met not to be told a spiritual truth. If we went hungry for a day but learned a spiritual truth that prevented us from heading into a dangerous spiritual situation, is it worth it? Jesus wanted them to look past the physical limitations, and see from God's perspective. He wants the same thing for us today. Let us not be so focused on our own physical needs that we miss the spiritual truth right before us. It's a mental focus that above all else wants to be like Christ, and continually petitions God to show us truths to further that goal.
But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:30-33
Insightful as always, Adam. It's so easy for us to focus on material instead of spiritual needs (and when those physical needs are met to stop seeking the fulfillment of our spiritual needs).
ReplyDeleteGod promises to provide for us, and we know that He is faithful. But there is hunger, poverty, and other suffering in the world, and many people die with (or from) these physical needs unmet. How are we to reconcile these things?
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ReplyDeleteThat can be a very tough thing to reconcile. My thoughts on the matter are: 1) Foundationally, we cannot see or understand all of God's reasons and we are told to trust that God is working all things together for good to those who love God (and later on that good is defined as being conformed to the likeness of Christ). 2)Maybe the person who dies from starvation is not a child of God, in that case they never received this promise from Matt. 6 3) Maybe God knows the misery they have in store and by his mercy plans to take their life from this present earth to greater glorify His name.
ReplyDeleteMaybe others have some more Biblical based thoughts?
In this area I personally can't help but think about I Corinthians 10 as well. Paul says that God will not tempt you beyond your ability, and will provide a way of escape.
Taking that thought then to its fullest extent means that God could conceivably take your life if you are unable to have victory over a specific temptation. Some may argue that point, and I have never felt comfortable being dogmatic about it. But in a situation where a believer is completely burdened by sins curse and has reached a point where they are unable to refrain from sinful worry about their physical needs; then possibly God may indeed take their life.
Great thoughts as usual.