Have you anything to eat?

Jesus posed this question to His disciples. It was at the end of a long day and people were getting a bit restless as were the disciples I am sure. The sun was rapidly making its way across the sky to its evening resting place. The stage was now set for Christ to test His followers in a very subtle yet powerful way. They had come to HIM with the request to send the people away so they could find some food.

Remember now that they did not have 3 Hardee's, 4 McD's, 1 Burger King, a Wendy's on their way back to the villages. I am sure His disciples had tried to figure things out, way before they came to HIM. You see, they were just like we are....always trying to work things out, mostly before we even think about coming to Christ. The disciples knew that the people had some journey before they would be able to eat, so they came to the Savior. Today's question is His response to them. Have you anything to eat????? Strange response isn't it. They had come to Jesus to get Him to dismiss the crowd so they could get some food and He asks them if they had any food..... MMMMM .......

When Jesus does this kind of stuff it usually means HE is going to do something and we are going to learn something. These teaching opportunities happened often with His disciples as HE was teaching them and changing them. Today's dilemma is no different.

Their response was simple....5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Now this may be plenty for some small families but here we are talking about up to 25,000 people. The equivalent of a small town. I am sure when they responded they had NO clue what HE was about to do! Christ simply said tell them to sit down. HE then thanked the Father for His provision and they began to give it out.

The more they broke away from the bread, the more bread there was. The more fish they divided the more that filled their serving trays. A mighty miracle is being done. God is providing. For me the real blessing is in what was left. After all the men, women and children had eaten their fill.....the disciples then took up, are you ready????? 12 BASKETS FULL!!!!

After this most powerful miracle and teaching session there was still 12 baskets left behind. Have you ever wondered why??? Well theologically speaking there were 12 tribes in Israel and I believe this was to signify that flowing from the Father through Christ there was going to be enough to feed all the house of Israel. He, Jesus the Christ was their Messiah and had come to meet their deepest need. To feed their soul, to quench the thirsting of their soul. But they had to turn to HIM!

But even for all of us Gentiles, there is a message of hope for us. Even after HE has fed multitudes for generations my precious friend..there is still enough for you and me. He has not run out of the precious food that fills us and sustains us. If you are hungry today. Hungry for food, real food, lasting food, something more than the empty restaurants of the world..then turn to Christ. HE is still saying..tell them to sit down, let's give thanks.....HE gives, we eat and we are filled to the full.

No matter how many times you have failed, fallen or forgotten Him. HE stands ready and willing to give you the food that will satisfy. So I will close with His question.....Have YOU anything to eat???