Understanding the Leftovers!
I have never understood how some people can go out to eat, not eat everything on their plate but within minutes they complain that they are hungry!
Some people will bring their leftovers home in a box but what actually happens to this food? Is it eaten or forgotten about and gone to waste? When I think about leftovers, I think about the Disciples, Jesus and some fish. The story summed up in a riddle would look something like this:
Q: What is 5000 divided by 5 loaves and 5 fish?
A: The Hand of Jesus!
After Jesus fed the massive crowd with only a few loaves of bread and a couple fish, the Disciples climbed into the boat without enough bread for themselves; so they thought. After complaining that they did not have enough, Jesus asked, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand?” (Mark 8:17)
Clearly the Disciples did not understand the meaning of the leftovers:
“When I broke the five loaves for the 5000, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve”. “And the seven for the 4000, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to Him, “Seven”. And He said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:19-20)
Understand what … the leftovers?
If I can assist with doing the math here. The first time, there were 12 servers and 12 baskets left over. (Mark 6:43) But the second time (feeding of 4000), there were 7 baskets left over! The abundance (the leftovers) were clearly for those who served.
Even so, the 12 were not content with all that they had. They did not understand the importance of their “to go” boxes. The leftovers was how Jesus took care of them. Not only did 5 fish and 5 loaves feed the 5000 and then 4000, but Jesus made sure there was plenty leftover to feed those who had served.
The moral of this story is this: No one can out give God and when you have leftovers, its just another way God takes care of you.
When we understand the importance of the leftovers; we will understand the Hand of God.
very true.
Great reminder to remember that God will provide for our needs.