Feeding the Multitudes

Choice 1: Matthew 14:14–21; 15:32–38. The Feeding of the Multitudes

1.    The Savior provided two similar miracles. As a summary of what took place, complete the following chart:

	Matthew 14:14-21	Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present?	5,000 (multitude)	4,000 (multitude)
What did they need?	food	food
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet that need?	5 loaves and 2 fish	7 loaves and few fish
What words or phrases describe the Savior's feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?	compassion	compassion
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	Provided food for 5,000	Provided food for 4,000

  

2.  In each story, the available food was insufficient to feed the multitude, yet with the help of the Lord the insufficiency was overcome. Read Romans 3:23 and ​explain in writing another way human effort is insufficient in receiving the glory of God. According to Ether 12:27, how does the Lord help us overcome this insufficiency?

Romans 3:23- “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

·         Because we have all sinned and are imperfect we all fall short of the glory of God. However, through Christ’s atoning sacrifice, humility, and faith, we can overcome these insufficiencies.

Ether 12:27- “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

·         The Lord helps us overcome this insufficiency when we come unto Him with our weaknesses. This takes faith and humility, but when we do so, we are promised that He will make our weaknesses become strengths.

Personal Application: 

After completing this assignment, I feel that my testimony has been strengthened of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Because He died for us, He bridged the gap from our efforts to the Glory of God. We have all sinned and fall short. Being reminded to humble ourselves before the Lord in faith, trusting that He will make our weakness become strong, has made me want to be better and turn my life and choices over to the Lord and follow Him continually.