We’re halfway through a year of writing 300 words about following Jesus 5-6 times a week. We’re about halfway through the book of Matthew.

We’re working through this book because Jesus ends it by telling his followers to obey what he commanded and I have this odd notion that if we start by obeying everything he commands just in Matthew, that’s a good start.

Why did I do that review? Because we often forget what we are doing and need a reminder.

That was certainly true of the disciples.

In Matthew 15, Jesus heals a bunch of people and then feeds a bunch of people. Matthew says it’s 4,000 men and there are bread and fish and seven baskets left over. For those of us reading this text, we are immediately reminded of how Jesus fed 5,000 men (and then their families) with bread and fish and twelve baskets of left-overs.

For many people, the response is “I bet Matthew repeated this for effect. Why didn’t the disciples remember the 5,000 and have faith this time?’

Those people must not look in the mirror very often. Most followers I know forget what Jesus did the last time. We forget the consistent character, the consistent power, of Jesus. We forget that this is the same Person who provided for our need the last time.

When there is a smaller crowd to feed, a smaller crisis, we still forget the way the need was met the last time, we forget that the need was met the last time. Jesus reminds us with wonder and power and provision.

That’s why I started with a review. Because we forget what we are about.

That’s why Jesus reviewed. So the disciples would remember what he was about.

That’s a good way to start the rest of the year. Remember God’s work.