Steps to Problem Solving
September 5, 2020
Commentary
When Jesus heard the news of John’s murder He quickly withdrew from that area and went by ship to a lonely place (v. 13). The people watched where Jesus and His disciples were going and a great crowd walked along the shore and met Him when He landed (v. 14). Although Jesus desperately needed rest the multitudes touched His heart. Compassion is God’s natural response to human suffering. Jesus had gone to a remote place to get alone, but when the crowds followed Him, He ministered to them and refused to send them away.
When evening came the disciples wanted to send the crowds away because they were in a remote place and had nothing to feed so many people (v. 15). Certainly they knew He was powerful enough to meet the need and yet they did not turn to Him for help. This is so much like many of God’s people today. For some reason, it is never the right time or place for God to work. Note the steps that Jesus taught His disciples that we need to take in solving problems (vv. 16-21):
Start with what you have – Andrew found a lad who had a small lunch.Give what you have to Jesus – The boy was willing to give up his lunch to Jesus.Obey what He commands – The disciples had the people sit down and they took the pieces and distributed them. As His servants, we are “distributors”, not “manufacturers”.Conserve the results – After the people were fed all they wanted, the left over pieces were carefully collected so that nothing was wasted.
Application
What do I have to offer to the Lord? Is there any conflict between what I want to do in life and what the Lord wants me to do in life? If so how can this be resolved?
Matthew 14:13– 21 (NET)
13 Now when Jesus heard this he went away from there privately in a boat to an isolated place. But when the crowd heard about it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 As he got out he saw the large crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 When evening arrived, his disciples came to him saying, “This is an isolated place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But he replied, “They don’t need to go. You give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 “Bring them here to me,” he replied. 19 Then he instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, twelve baskets full. 21 Not counting women and children, there were about 5,000 men who ate.
Illustration: Solving The Wrong Problem
For more than 20 years Professor Edwin R. Keedy of the of Pennsylvania Law School used to start his first class by putting two figures on the blackboard 4 & 2.Then would ask, “What’s the solution?” One student would call out, “Six.” Another would say “Two.” Then several would shout out “Eight!” But the teacher would shake his head in the negative. Then Keedy would point out their collective error. “All of you failed to ask the key question: What is the problem? Gentlemen, unless you know what the problem is, you cannot possibly find the answer.” This teacher knew that in law, as in everyday life, too much time is spent trying to solve the wrong problem-like polishing brass on a sinking ship. The problem is SIN-The solution is JESUS! (The Visitor, 4/84).