LEFTOVERS
Everyone eats. Everyone is satisfied. Nobody goes away
hungry. In fact,
when the disciples recover the leftovers, they have 12
baskets full of broken pieces.
Luke 9:17 (VOICE)
Those of us who attend Baptist
churches are veterans of many potluck dinners. Sometimes the meat is furnished,
but many times it is a true potluck where everyone brings something and hopes
others bring something else. I’ve been at potlucks that would have been enjoyed
by vegetarians because there were absolutely no meat dishes. Other times, we
might as well have called it dessert deluxe because everyone likes to show off
their baking skills. On this particular day, the crowd did not even come
prepared for a potluck dinner. Apparently the only one who had anything to
share was a boy with five loaves of bread and two fish. I’ve been to a few
skimpy potlucks over the years, but most of the time there is plenty. What
these people and even Jesus’s closest twelve followers did not realize is that
the provisions are never scant when Jesus is in charge of the potluck. He
blessed those loaves and fish, and his disciples proceeded to distribute supper
to 5,000 men and their families! Not only did the boy’s meager contribution
stretch to feed the entire crowd, but there were twelve basketfuls left over.
It is probably no coincidence that each doubting disciple would be left holding
an entire basketful of food! The Bible does not tell us what was done with the
leftovers, but in the Jewish culture it was not acceptable to toss out good
food. Therefore, I am sure they ate the bread the next day or gave it away to
local people in need. Are you in need of miraculous provision physically,
spiritually, or emotionally? Jesus will never barely meet your need. He will
always exceed your expectations and entrust you with the responsibility of
using the leftovers wisely. Trust the Lord with the little you have and watch
Him multiply it to completely satisfy you with enough left over to share!
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