Bottom line up front: Leftovers should point us to the Provider.

Text: Matthew 15:32-39, ESV: Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” And the disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in such a desolate place to feed so great a crowd?” And Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. Those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.

Imagery Matters: Rooted in my nature is the power of imagery. Jesus directed the crowd to sit on the ground. Why? I think it was because that puts folks in a posture of dependence; they are not in charge. They are looking up. They are not full of themselves. They are in fact knowingly dependent. Only after they were seated on the ground, Christ took the few loaves of bread and fish, and multiplied them. Why? To feed the people, obviously. But also to emphasize that there were “broken pieces left over” (v. 37). Christ, the bread of life, was and is more than enough.

I cannot speak for others, but that is so easy for me to forget or minimize in my daily thinking and living–that God is more than enough. It is so easy to fall into a default factory setting of, “Well, I will look to man to provide” thinking. But that is not the gospel.

Why? Well, we sinners are–more often than not–the problem. Our pride is a wrecking ball. We fancy ourselves irreplaceable, but if we would spend mere moments in studying history, we would see that life goes on quite steadily, and we are quickly forgotten by nearly all. If we think we are important, just read a history book.

Those folks fancied themselves noteworthy, too, but alas. Most of us will never be remembered except perhaps by a few loved ones. Maybe. But in Christianity, we are of value; God knows us, and sees all. That should simultaneously humble us and encourage us.

Encouragement: In the passage above, Christ took seven loaves and some fish, and with gratitude, he multiplied the bread and fish. Why? To show us that we sinners are dependent creatures; to show us the propriety of gratitude; to teach us that God is sufficient, more than sufficient; to show us that the doctrine of providence is not just a theological construct but that it is food for our souls (and bellies); and to teach us humble dependence upon the God who is.