Matt.14:20 – So they all ate and were filled…
This one little phrase says plenty; they all ate until they were filled. The word used by Matthew here was chortazo, a term normally used for feeding animals. In other words everyone had eaten until they could eat no more; think maybe a Thanksgiving Day dinner. So what started off as barely a snack for a little boy turned into a feast for thousands of people. Of course there is more to this story than just fish and bread, this is really about being filled to the full with Living Bread. The point of this miracle was that Jesus is the Bread that comes down from Heaven and we are intended to eat our fill of His goodness. That’s where the crowd missed it that day and I think its safe to say where many miss it today. Miracles are not about the specific thing that happens, it is about seeing the reality and glory of God in the miracle. Here is how Spurgeon describes this.
“No one was neglected, no one refused, no one was too faint, no one left off till he was satisfied, no one needed anything else, no one found that the food did not suit him; for indeed they were all hungry, “and they did all eat.” No one stinted himself, or was stinted, all “were filled. ” Ours is a filling Benefactor, and he provides filling food.
After the feast, twelve great baskets were needed to hold the fragments. It was impossible to exhaust the store. The baskets were full as well as the people. There was more provision after the feeding than before it. By feeding others our stock increases. That which was left had been blessed as well as that which was eaten, and therefore it was fine food for the disciples. They gave plain bread and fish, and they receive more in quantity, and a blessing to improve the quality. Those who wait upon others at Christ’s bidding shall have a fair portion for themselves. Those who fill others’ mouths shall have their own baskets filled. Everybody is satisfied when Jesus makes the feast.”
This abundance cries out to us; it is saying that He is more than enough. Come and delight yourself in Him and you will be filled. Jesus always supplies more than expected because that is His nature. He is always in a state of overflow, come and feast on Him and you too will be satisfied as you are completely filled.
