MARK 8:8-9: “And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 9 And there were about four thousand people. And he sent them away.” (ESV)
OBSERVATION: Will God meet all of my needs? This is a questions that all of us ask at different times in our lives. When we face times of financial challenge we wonder – “Will He provide?” When we face times of physical challenge we wonder – “Will He heal and strengthen?” We know the Scripture promises, but we still come to the place of question and wondering. It is our humanity and our faith meeting at the point of need.
In these verses once again the disciples did not understand the provision of God in Jesus. When Jesus had compassion on the 4000 that were gathered and wanted to feed them the disciples repeated their mistake of focusing on their “lack” rather than on God’s supply. How could they find food for so many people in a desolate place? What did they have to work with? – 7 loaves of bread and a few fish. Yet – what did they have left over when all had eaten? – 7 baskets of food! The significance of the number 7 must not be overlooked.
Seven is the number of God, the number of completeness. God created the world in six days and on the seventh He rested. Seven was the day of completion and rest. In the book of Revelation we see that Jesus sent letters to “seven” churches (the Church). Around the Throne of God we see the “seven” spirits of God (the fulness of the Holy Spirit). Seven speaks of fullness, completeness, sufficiency. In feeding the 4000 with a mere 7 loaves of bread Jesus was physically proclaiming to all that He is sufficient for all of their needs.
This is exactly what Paul says in Philippians 4:19 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (ESV) Notice, it does not say “some”, or “many” – it says “every” need. This is possible because in Jesus Christ resides all the fullness of the Godhead. All the promises of God find their “Yes” and “Amen” in Christ Jesus! His Grace is sufficient for all of our needs.
One may say – “Well, He has not met my needs yet!” I have learned through life that many times the things I think I need are not the things I really need. This is not a cop-out, this is reality. Think of a small child who thinks they need that candy bar right before dinner. The parent knows that this will ruin their appetite for the truly beneficial food and says no. This is to protect the child and their health. What the child thought they needed was not really a need at all. Yet, when that child is in “real” need – the parent is right there with loving response. Such it is with our Heavenly Father. He will supply all of our “real” needs according to his riches and glory in Christ Jesus!
Lord, thank You for your provision for all the “real” needs in my life through Christ Jesus. Help me to trust You fully and to wait upon You with a patient and expectant heart. Let me be like Abraham who through faith and patience inherited the promises. In Jesus Name!
