Your Satisfaction... Guaranteed!

I would like to walk you through a famous story in the Gospel, whose meaning happens to sometimes be overlooked.  That story is:  Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand. 

Jesus says to His disciples, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat" (Mark 8:2).  Jesus then takes seven loaves of bread, breaks the bread, and gives thanks to God for the bread.  He is then able to perform a miracle and multiply the bread, so the four thousand may eat.  He also does this with the few fish He has.  He gives thanks before He is able to perform a miracle.  In verse 8, it says, "The people ate and were satisfied.  Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over."  

Jesus had compassion on the people that were WITH Him.  They were listening to His teachings and taking in His every word.  They had not eaten during these three days.  They had sacrificed this portion of their lives, so they could be with Him.  Because of this, Jesus wanted to reward them.  He had compassion on them.  When we are with Jesus, our outlook changes.  We do not focus on our problems or the lack of what we have.  Instead, we simply focus on spending time with Him.  In time, (for these people, it was three days), Jesus will reward you and bless you. 

However, before rewarding them, He gave thanks for what He had.  Seven loaves of bread and a few fish is obviously not enough for four thousand people...  Or so we think.  Jesus took what was few and made it plenty.  Now think about your life.  Is there an aspect where you feel as if you don't have enough?  If you are with Him, He will take what you think is few and turn it into something so much greater.  Jesus exemplifies an important lesson here.  Be thankful for what you do have.  "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess. 5:18).  Even if you have little, be thankful for it.  

Finally, it says, "the people ate and were satisfied" (v. 8).  Because of their trust and longing to be with Jesus, Jesus blessed them with food and they were satisfied.  It does not say they were "somewhat satisfied" or "almost satisfied."  It says, "they were satisfied."  He will bless you in the midst of your problems, so much so, that you will be satisfied.  They will be an abundance of blessings.  They will pour over your problems and give you peace.   You'll have basketfuls left over!

With this world, satisfaction is scarce and only lingers.  With Jesus, satisfaction is guaranteed to stay and overflow.  :]


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit"  (Romans 15:13).