When Jesus Breaks Your Bread

 

 

 

The disciples had forgotten to bring any bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat.  Jesus warned them, “Watch out! Guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and of Herod.”

The disciples talked this over and said to each other, “He must be saying this because we don’t have any bread.”

Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you talking about not having any bread? Don’t you understand? Are your minds still closed? Are your eyes blind and your ears deaf? Don’t you remember how many baskets of leftovers you picked up when I fed those five thousand people with only five small loaves of bread?”

“Yes,” the disciples answered. “There were twelve baskets.”

Jesus then asked, “And how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up when I broke seven small loaves of bread for those four thousand people?”

“Seven,” they answered.

Mark 8:14-20

When Jesus needed bread for 5,000 people He used 5 small loaves and had 12 baskets of leftover bread after they ate.  When Jesus feed 4,000 people He started with 7 small loaves and collected 7 baskets of leftovers.  This sounds like the beginning of a high school math problem where you are asked to calculate how many people were satisfied with only one loaf.  

You probably realize though that there is no formula to determine how big the blessing of God's increase will be. The answer is surely this: When Jesus takes what you have and applies it to the need, you will have ENOUGH! 

Jesus never comes up short of the need! He often provides less than you think you need, but when Jesus breaks your bread, standard accounting measures lose track and are not able to see what He is doing!

If God calls you to do this or that, don't seek to "raise the funds" needed to accomplish it. Rather take what you have and put that in the hands of Jesus. Jesus doesn't need your money! Jesus needs your willingness to give Him whatever you have, no matter how small it is! Your small gift can satisfy thousands after it passes through the hands of Jesus and is broken by Him!

"Lord Jesus, I know you can take even one small loaf of bread and feed thousands of people. Lord, show me the needs of Your work on this earth and take my heart and everything I have to spread Your blessing to those who have not heard! Praise Your Holy Name now and forever. Amen."