How many loaves have ye?

Matthew 15:34

And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.

Often, when Jesus traveled about from town to town, large multitudes and throngs of people would follow at His heels. He was rarely alone. He would have to go to the wilderness or into a mountain apart to pray Himself if He wanted time alone. Even then, the time was commonly interrupted by people who wanted a slice of the Son of God’s time. So, as there were often multitudes around Him, there were inevitably physical concerns that needed to be cared for. Jesus, here, had compassion on the multitude because they had been with Him three days and didn’t have food to eat before going back to their homes. The disciples, naturally minded as they were, pointed out that they were in the wilderness. As if the Lord didn’t know! Therefore, where would they get food? And Jesus asks them a simple question. It is the same question that He asked previously with the feeding of the five thousand (the miracle they already forgot about!). He said, “How many loaves have ye?”

Now this question at first may have seemed irrelevant. No matter how many loaves they had, it would not have been enough to feed up to ten thousand people. Therefore, why would He even ask? But He was about to do what He had previously done. So the disciples, probably in a begrudging way, answer Him, “seven, and a few little fishes.” And as is recorded in John’s account of the feeding of the five thousand, it was as if to say, “What are they among so many?” What could you possibly do with seven loaves among thousands of people? They would be gone after only a dozen! They could not be stretched beyond that. And the few fishes? What are they among so many? Maybe a few men could eat.

Well, we all know how the story ends. Jesus took the loaves and fishes, blessed and brake them, gave them to the disciples, and they then gave them to the multitudes. And we all know that they did all eat and were filled, and they took up seven baskets of fragments. But how did this happen? We can understand that it was only miraculous, and it was only supernatural. But do we not all have the same attitude? What is my offering among so many? What could I possibly use my little talents for among the multitudes in this world? How could God possibly use my little gift? Well, dear friend, all that was needed was for the disciples to give the seven loaves and few fishes to the Master. And that is all that needs to be done in your life. Give it all to the Lord! Do not doubt! He may use it supernaturally and miraculously beyond any expectation of man. We must just present it to the Lord. It may be very little, but when given into His hand, it has no boundary, limit, or human constraint. God can take it, bless it, and use it to incredible heights and in tremendous ways. Its reach can be unfathomable, incalculable. Surrender it all to Jesus, and watch Him multiply it for His use and glory!

“Dear Lord, every one of us feels that we have very little to offer to You for Your use. But we know that, when in Your hands, it has unprecedented and unknown potential. Therefore, we hand over all our gifts, talents, and opportunities, trusting that You will bring forth from those things wonders and miracles beyond our hopes and dreams. Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee. In the name of Christ our Savior we pray, Amen.”