Sometimes I think that in our time of such plentiful food, we miss the great power of the feeding miracles. Did you ever wonder how he did it – I mean, how these miracles actually unfolded before the eyes of the disciples and the crowds? When he gave thanks for the loaves and fish, they didn’t suddenly multiply into great piles of food that stretched dozens of feet into the air. The miracle wasn’t an instantaneous one that was immediately evident to everyone there.
No, it happened incrementally. When Jesus broke the loaves and fishes up and gave them to his disciples, each one had an amount he could carry in his hands – probably just the equivalent of a loaf or two and a fish or two. Then, as each disciple gave some to a group of people, the amount left as each person took a portion was increased in a way that seems to have been unnoticed by the people as it happened. In the end, this incremental increase provided all that the people needed – with more to spare than the amount Jesus had when he prayed!
That seems to be how God provides for us. I don’t recall having my resources, talents, energy, etc., increased a thousand, a hundred, or even ten-fold when I had a need. But I do know that God has provided for me and my family as we had need – and usually with some to spare.
I wonder how long it took the disciples to notice that a miracle was taking place in front of them. I wonder how many people were fed before they realized that God was providing for them. I wonder how many satisfied stomachs it took for their faith to overcome their doubt.
During this Lenten season, I pray that you will look at the increase God has given to you and your family over the years, providing what you needed and more. May your journey fill you with faith and open your eyes to the power that He is using around you.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
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 men, besides women and children. 39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.