Baskets of Blessings
At a young age, in Sunday School class, I learned about Jesus feeding five thousand people with two fish and five loaves of bread. (Of course, for years I didn’t realize that this number didn’t include women and children, so it was likely ten to fifteen thousand people who were fed!) Most kids who attend church, even occasionally, probably know this story. Yet many children—and even some adults—believe this miracle was a one-time occurrence. That’s not the case. Matthew records Jesus feeding over four thousand people (again, not including women and children) with seven loaves of bread and a few fish.
It may seem silly, but what has intrigued me most about these accounts isn’t how many people were fed, but how many baskets of food were gathered afterward. In John 6, when Christ fed over five thousand, twelve small baskets were left over. In Matthew 15, when four thousand were fed, seven large baskets were filled with the remaining food. Why? Are these numbers significant? Is there a reason for the extra food apart from leftovers? Obviously, my household is no stranger to eating leftovers either!
For a long time, I wondered about the baskets and prayed for understanding. While biblical commentators offer a variety of viewpoints, most agree that the baskets simply demonstrate Jesus’ power. You may say I’m reading into something that isn’t there—and that’s fine—but I believe the twelve small baskets represent each of the twelve disciples, and the seven large baskets symbolize each day of the week.
You see, when I reflect on these numbers, I can’t help but rejoice in the sufficiency of Jesus. The baskets remind me that Jesus is enough for every disciple, every day of the week. In Him alone, we find abundant life that not only meets our needs but overflows with blessings, peace, and joy. For every believer in Christ, there is a lavish supply of grace to empower us to walk in victory each day. That’s what the baskets of blessings mean to me.
What about you? Are you living with the assurance that Jesus is sufficient?
