32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
33 His disciples answered, "Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?"
34 "How many loaves do you have?" Jesus asked.
"Seven," they replied, "and a few small fish."
35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. 37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 38 The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
Our Lord felt deep sympathy for the crowds He was ministering to in our verses for today. Being fully aware His audience was both helpless and harassed like sheep without a shepherd, Jesus sought further than simply healing their diseases to meeting their need of hunger as well. His desire was to come to their aid - providing for their weakened frames with sustenance. Isaiah tells us our Lord is a tender Shepherd who gently and carefully leads and carries the weakest and helpless members of His flock:
11 He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11 (NIV)
Human reason dictated the disciple’s response to their Master’s desire to feed the crowd of four thousand plus. How easy it is for flesh to resort to human abilities and reasoning. God is looking for servants who are willing to believe that He desires to do “pala” things – wondrously great things, things beyond the bounds of human expectations, reasoning or powers – and all through our jars of clay btw.
“All the resources of the Godhead are at our disposal!” Jonathan Goforth
It is His desire for us to depend on Him alone – content with His provision. Relying solely on Him – on His sure sufficiency – this is the way of rich blessing even though it may lead us down difficult paths we perhaps would not have chosen. Being content with His provision for us will keep us from being plagued with fear and anxiety which is so prevalent in our day. This does not mean we do not work with all our hearts as unto the Lord but it does mean we leave the results in His very capable hands. King David writes:
15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 16 You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 20 The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. Psalms 145:15-20 (NIV)
Jesus is the lover of our souls and desires our focus to remain upon Him. He wants us to break free from being preoccupied with self – with our lame abilities - soaking in His presence, power and love. It is His desire for us to cease striving and know that He is God. When Jesus relates to His guys that He wants them to feed these throngs of hungry stomachs they immediately balk. That is so human nature. Jesus was going to teach them yet again the lesson of His sufficiency if they would but rely on His leading and power ever preparing them to be worthy of His use – just as He prepares each obedient soul who loves Him. He is to be our sustaining strength and His peace is to ever garrison our minds. He desires to do the miraculous – the finger marks of God – through our vessels – are always for our good and His glory.
Christ takes the meager portion of food that was available, blesses it and satisfies all. There is always enough mercy and grace with Christ to fill our largest desires with abundant satisfaction. We are never at a loss in our Master’s company. It behooves us to remember our past experiences with Him to keep us from present doubting.
10 I am the LORD your God who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. Psalms 81:10 (NIV)
To demonstrate that He not only provides but overflows our cups, there were seven basketfuls of food left over. Never desirous of wasting anything, Jesus has the disciples pick up the broken pieces. Isn’t it great that God can use the broken pieces of our lives for our good?
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)
“Faith in God will always be crowned.” William S. Plummer