Thy Strong Word — Matthew 14:13-21. Unbelievable mercy to unbelievable sinners: A King’s compassion.

Rev. Bob Hiller, pastor of Community Lutheran Church in Escondido and San Marcos, CA joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Matthew 14:13-21.

When Jesus’ heard the news of his cousin’s death, He went away by Himself to grieve. When He is interrupted by the crowd, instead of getting annoyed like we often will be, He has compassion on them. This compassionate Jesus is the fulfillment of Micah’s words, “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea (7:19).” He gives His gifts of bread and fish to nourish His people like a good shepherd (Psalm 23:2-3). He is not only full of compassion, but He fully feeds His people with forgiveness, life, and salvation. “O Good Shepherd, Your forgiveness is more than my sin. Your gifts are greater than my needs and You provide everything we have without any merit in me. Provide for Your people and help us serve to provide for others. In Your name, Amen”

Thy Strong Word reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God’s Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations.

Thy Strong Word is hosted by Rev. Brady Finnern, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Sartell, MN, and graciously underwritten by the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

¹³Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. ¹⁵Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” ¹⁶But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” ¹⁷They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” ¹⁸And he said, “Bring them here to me.” ¹⁹Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. ²¹And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Read full chapter

Rev. Brady Finnern

Rev. Brady Finnern, host of Thy Strong Word. is an expert in all things Minnesota, including hiking the great mountains of the 5th flattest state in the Union and making his own maple syrup. Although chow mein, fried ice cream, and Peanut Persian donuts with maple frosting are at the top of his foodie list, his prized possessions include his gas station refillable fountain soda cup (which, he says, the savings will pay for college for his 4 kids). Pastor Finnern's Divine Call is as President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and in addition he also enjoys traveling, coaching track, and movie nights with his wife and kids that may or may not include Shawshank Redemption or any of the Thriller movies. When he's not singing his favorite hymns or listening to his favorite metal music, you might find him working out or taking naps. (Probably naps.)