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One of the most well-known meals in Scripture is the feeding of the 5,000, one of the few stories that appears in all four Gospel accounts. A great crowd of people had gathered, and Jesus took the opportunity to perform a miracle and teach his disciples some important truths. After testing his disciple Philip by asking how they could buy bread for the crowd, Andrew brought a boy with five loaves and two fish.
"Jesus said, 'Have the people sit down.' There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish." (John 6:10-11)
How much Jesus can do with so little! Sometimes I feel like what I have to offer to Jesus in the Kingdom of God is so minuscule. However, with such a great God, He can do more with your little than you could ever do with much. In a world where so many are striving to "be enough", in Christ we can rest knowing that He is enough even in our weakness and limitations. Just 5 loaves and 2 fish fed thousands. Imagine what God can do with the time, talent, and treasure you have to give.
The story continues: "When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, 'Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.' So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten." (John 6:12-13)
Some theorize that there is deep significance to the fact that there are 12 baskets left over, perhaps representing the 12 tribes of Israel. This communicates that Jesus is fully sufficient for the Jews. Then, in a later instance, at the feeding of the 4,000, there are 7 baskets left over, perhaps representing total completeness, or the Gentiles, as 7 is often a number associated with the Gentiles. Jesus is therefore fully sufficient for all–both Jews and Gentiles. He is enough. He fills us. Just the fact that there are so many leftovers after feeding thousands shows that Jesus can more than meet our every need. The provision that He supplies overflows. He is never lacking. He is sufficient for us all. His grace is enough to save the Jew and the Gentile alike. Isn't it comforting to serve a God who never runs out? His resources are never exhausted, and His grace is new each morning.
Shortly after this story, still in John 6, Jesus declares Himself to be "the bread of life" (John 6:35). Just as the physical bread in the miracles on the hill provided the people with their fill, the bread of life fills us with all we need: all the grace we need, all the hope we need, and the eternal life that we need.
In summary: Jesus IS enough!!!
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