Jesus, Our Sufficiency

Jesus, Our Sufficiency

The disciples replied, “Where would we get enough food here in the wilderness for such a huge crowd?” Jesus asked, “How much bread do you have?” They replied, “Seven loaves.”

Matthew 15:33-34

Similar to the miracle in yesterday’s devotional, Jesus enlisted his disciples to help him feed a multitude of people gathered to hear the Good News. They had no idea how the masses could be satisfied because they had little to offer them. Seven loaves of bread wasn’t much when they faced hundreds of desperate, hungry people. But when they gave Jesus the resources they had, a miracle occurred. That’s because it wasn’t about Jesus’ disciples and their abilities or resources. It was about the Lord and his ability to provide.

Jesus asks us the same question today: “How many loaves of bread do you have? What is in your ‘lunch’ or your store of resources that could meet another’s need?” Perhaps it is hope or comfort, our testimonies of how God has changed our lives, prayers on another’s behalf, a physical meal or other practical help. We may be in a wilderness in our lives and thus not feel we have much to give, but there are always needy people to feed. And when we give our “bread”—whether it’s our time, our voice, our home, our money, or our special talent or skills—to Jesus, he is well able to take it and make it life and refreshment for many. He specializes in taking what we give to him and multiplying it in his way to meet the needs of others. Christ is our sufficiency when our personal resources are insufficient. And when we yield all that we have and are into his hands, we can stand back and watch as the miracles begin. —CHERI

Thank you, Lord, for still doing miracles today as we give what we have to you. There are so many in the wilderness, people who are physically hungry and spiritually hungry. Strengthen me, use me, prepare me to partner with you in what you are doing on this earth.

Christ is the bread for men’s souls. In him the church has enough to feed the whole world.

—IAN MACLAREN (PSEUDONYM FOR JOHN WATSON, 1850–1907), SCOTTISH AUTHOR AND THEOLOGIAN