Week 3 Jesus Feeds the Multitude

This is one of my student choice assignments for this week. I compared two miracles where Jesus fed multitudes with a few fish. I included a few comments on the end...for those that read to the end!

Matthew 14:14-21

How many people were present?                           5,000 + women & children

What did they need?                                     The multitude needed food to eat.

What were they able to offer in an effort

to meet that need?                                        5 loaves of bread & 2 fishes

Words that describe the feelings of the

Savior towards the multitude:                     Compassion, they need not depart, give them to eat

Words or phrases describing what the

Savior provided for them:                           They did all eat, they were filled, they took up fragments

 Matt 15:323-38

How many people were present?                           4000 + women & children

What did they need?                                     They needed food to eat.

What were they able to offer in an

effort to meet that need?                             7 loaves of bread and a few little fishes

Words that describe the feeling of the

Savior towards the multitude:                     Compassion, I will not send them away hungry, lest they

                                                                        Faint by the way.

Words or phrases describing what the

Savior provided for them:                           All ate, all were filled, Seven baskets of food leftover.

In Romans 3:23 we read that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  I have sinned which blocks my path to eternal life. I cannot overcome sin on my own.  

I started thinking about the parable and what part I play. I am a loaf of bread. On my own my efforts are very small, but when I allow the Savior to bless me miracles happen. Here is my thought process combining the parable and Ether 12:27:

There was insufficient bread to feed the crowd.

I am insufficient. On my own I am not able to gain eternal life.

Jesus took the bread and blessed it. He fed the multitude.

Jesus shows me my weakness. I am humbled. I receive grace. I receive strength to overcome my weakness.

I am aware of my sin.  With faith in Jesus Christ I can repent. I will receive forgiveness. My weakness becomes strength as I gain power to resist temptation. As his disciple I grow in strength and wisdom.