I used to wonder why it was necessary to have so many leftovers. It seems that Jesus could have made it come out even, or even better, leave exactly as much as the little boy gave. But after being a student of people and their behavior for years, now, I think I know the answer. In a crowd of some 15,000 people or more, there were bound to be those who wouldn't eat. Maybe they were saying that they wouldn't take part in comandeering a little boy's lunch, or maybe they thought that there wouldn't be enough for all so they would wait. Maybe their taste didn't lean toward fish sandwiches. We know they were hungry because Jesus was concerned that they wouldn't make it home without a snack. Whatever their reason, they left the miracle meal more hungry than they were at the beginning. I believe the twelve baskets showed to all that anyone who failed to partake in this meal was not being humble. Rather it showed that they remained hungry in the presence of plenty. They had no one to blame but themselves for continuing to be hungry. It kind of makes them look stupid, doesn't it?
But today, many people live in spiritual hunger when there is plenty to satisfy all. And more times than not, we fail to trust God to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. We don't see beyond our own set of solutions to our problems. More on this tomorrow.
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