Matt.14:20 – So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.
No one could imagine what was going to happen that day. No where in history had there been any miracle quite like this one, 5000 men (plus women and children) that were filled with food when it all started with a little boy’s lunch. This miracle was so excessive that many people think it is just a myth or a parable with a spiritual application. Like all of Jesus’ miracles they contained a powerful message but they were real miracles with real people. Blind people really got healed, paralyzed folks really walked, and dead people were raised from the dead. Each miracle carried a message so this miracle did too. What was the message? Jesus is the bread of life and He will satisfy you completely, all you have to do is sit at His feet and eat the bread. Spurgeon said this about this miracle.
“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 wore 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.”
I love this, “Ours is a filling Benefactor”. Jesus gives us this bread, He gives us Himself and fills us to the full. So today, just like these disciples, we find ourselves surrounded with hungry people with no way to help themselves. they are in the stores, in the schools, in the hospitals, the prisons, our neighborhoods and even in our families. We must feed them. You may say I don’t have the resources or the tools to reach this world. That’s okay, just go to Jesus and receive bread and fish from Him and you will have more than enough for you and everyone in your world.
