Jesus' Question - How Many Loaves Do You Have?
Some thoughts on scarcity and abundance.
The feeding of the 5000 is recorded in all four Gospels. The feeding of the 4000 is only recorded in two Gospels - Matthew and Mark.
In both cases, the feeding of the 4000 happens as a second example of Jesus’ miraculous power to supply a meal to thousands utilizing food for two or three people.
The question - How many loaves do you have? - is asked in 3 of the 6 recordings of miraculous feedings. Once in Matthew, twice in Mark, none by Luke or John.
Whether the question is asked or not, the answer is given. There are 5 loaves and 2 fish for the feeding of the 5000, and 7 loaves for the feeding of the 4000.
In both miraculous meals, there is this feeling of scarcity. We only have 5 loaves and 2 fish. In John 6, Andrew asks, “What are they for so many?” Philip remarks, “Two hundred denarii (about 9 months wages) worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.”
At yet, the end of the feeding of the 5000, everyone eats and is satisfied and 12 baskets full of leftovers are collected. At the end of the feeding of the 4000, everyone eats and is satisfied and 7 baskets full of leftovers are collected.
Where scarcity is felt and expected, abundance occurs. Why? Because Jesus is there.
How many loaves do you have? How much energy do you have? How much time? How many resources? How much hope?
How little are you expecting to come from what you have?
Why is that?
Remember. You have Jesus. And Jesus has got you.
I’m not saying we should put our trust in something God has not promised, but why are we expecting so little from our God who has promised to love us and be with us?
How many loaves (or whatever) do you have? Expect God to do amazing things through what He has given you.
Remember these words of praise from Ephesians 3:20-21,
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
Thanks for reading. Thanks for sharing. Look for God’s abundance.
Andy