Bread Baskets

“’How many loaves do you have?’ Jesus asked. ‘Seven,’ they replied, ‘and a few small fish’…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. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” Matthew 15:34-37.

The feeding of the masses is one of the most well-known miracles for which Jesus performed but let’s not over look several essential truths because of our familiarity with this story. Throughout the Bible the number seven always symbolized completion as it began with Creation, so it is no coincidence that the loaves required to feed everyone would be seven with seven basketfuls remaining. When we come to Him with our needs, our requests and petitions for His deliverance we come to Him hungry needing the essential nourishment to carry us through our trials. In the dark valleys the hunger could last for years and extend way beyond our abilities. The bread for which He feeds us is never-ending and all sufficient until completion of that dark valley. We pull a chair up to His table in hopes of filling our spiritual cravings and appetite to help us endure, to nourish our souls and to feast on His provisions.

The other basic element in this story is His distribution of the provision to His representatives, the disciples. His expectation was that the nourishment began with His touch and blessing before the people were fed. He could have distributed the bread and fish Himself but He used His disciples as the vessels for distribution. We, too, are to be distributors of the warm aroma of Christ, His touch and His encouragement. It began with the breaking of His body on the cross for our deliverance from sin obtaining complete forgiveness and eternal life. Once we pick up the Bread it should be both our privilege and requirement to pass it on for others to be fed in their hunger.

There will always be basketfuls of broken pieces, broken hearts and broken lives as we journey through this life. It is up to the disciple’s of Christ, His children, to carry the baskets and distribute the nourishment.