Satisfied

While preparing for a Bible study, I had the opportunity to re-read Luke’s account of the feeding of the 5000.  This is the only miracle that is related in all four gospels, so I figured it must contain something very important.  Aside from the amazing fact that thousands of hungry people were fed, there was a significant word that God asked me to meditate on; satisfied. In one form or another, satisfied is found 110 times in scripture, but what did God want me to see, I wondered.

As human beings, God has built in to us physical needs, needs that are triggered by related feelings.  Hunger, thirst or sleepiness alert us to the need for food, water or rest.  As we backtrack in this chapter, we find that the apostles had just returned from their first road trip without Jesus, and where still on a spiritual high. Jesus had “given them the power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:1-2, and that’s exactly what they did!! What they all needed at this point was some quality time, to rehash their adventures, alone with the Master.  But that was not to happen.  Word was out that miraculous healings were occurring, and huge crowds descended upon the tired group.  “He (Jesus) welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.” Luke 9:11.

 The twelve were less hospitable, and as the day wore on, stomachs began to growl with hunger.  Thinking in human terms, they told Jesus to send the needy crowds away, but he replied, “You give them something to eat.” v. 13.  There was no fast food restaurant nearby, or even an inn, and everyone there was aware of the fact, and told him so.  Calmly, and with complete confidence, Jesus directed the apostles to seat the people in small groups, then he blessed the meager supplies they had distributing them to all in attendance. Holy dried fish, not only were all those growling bellies filled, but they were satisfied. “They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” v 17.  They weren’t stuffed or groaning in pain, their need was met, and they were satisfied!

Jesus knows our needs, all of them, and longs to abundantly satisfy them all in both the heavenly and earthly realms. Only by taking in food will our earthly hunger be sated, and only by taking in Jesus, as the bread of life, will we ever be truly satisfied.