Scripture to Read: John 6:12–13
There is no doubt that God met the crowd's needs through five loaves and two fish, as He multiplied them abundantly. We read in John 6:12–13, When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. It’s hard for us even to imagine the abundance of food that God provided on that day. Notice that everyone was filled, so no one walked away wanting more. When Jesus sent the disciples out to gather the leftovers, they filled twelve baskets, which meant that each of Jesus’ disciples could see the abundance of God’s provision with their own eyes. We must remember that God provides for our every need. Also, God gives us everything we need spiritually to be able to know Him intimately and live for Him as obedient followers of Christ. God tells us of His abundant gifts to us in 2 Peter 1:3–4, seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Our Lord has abundantly blessed us; therefore, we need to take advantage of His rich blessings.
Challenge & Application
• What is the lesson Jesus taught the disciples that day as they each filled a basket of leftovers?
• Knowing God provides for us abundantly, what do you see in 2 Peter 1:3–4 that you didn’t know you had from God?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!