Full & Satisfied

Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. —Matthew 15:34-36 (NKJV)

When everyone was full and satisfied, they gathered up the leftovers. And from what was once seven loaves and a few fish, they filled seven baskets! There were four thousand men who ate the food Jesus multiplied, and even more including the women and children!  —Matthew 15:37-38 (TPT)

When we are grateful and give thanks to God for what He has already provided, the windows of heaven are open to pour out more than enough, to meet the need. However, this miracle feeding of over 4,000 people began in the heart of Jesus, when He had compassion. In Matthew 15:32, Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”

To have compassion we have to be aware and concerned about others, and that concern moves us to action. When we have compassion for others, God can multiply what He has given us, to meet the need of a multitude, and everyone can be full and satisfied. Freely you have received, freely give.