Seventh Sunday after Trinity
The story of the feeding of the four thousand shows us, on the one hand, that the Lord not only takes care of our spiritual needs, but also our physical needs. On the other hand, this story shows us that there is often a deep spiritual message hidden in external signs.
The Gospel tells us that Jesus had compassion on the people gathered around Him because He saw that they had nothing to eat, and He knew that not all of them might have enough strength to return home.
When Jesus told His disciples about this, it was not to complain about yet another problem, but to show them a solution. A solution of which they were also a part. Unfortunately, the disciples’ initial reaction was the opposite of Jesus’: they only saw a problem and argued with their Master: “From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?” We have probably experienced it or even done it ourselves: one person suggests something, while the other finds dozens of objections and reasons why it definitely cannot be done. It is especially ridiculous when someone tries to explain to God why one thing or another is not possible.
Jesus shows that with Him all things are possible. It is possible to feed four thousand people with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. It is also possible that after the four thousand men have been fed, seven basketfuls of leftovers are collected from these seven loaves and a few fish.
The number seven is not accidental here. Seven represents perfection. It means that there was just enough bread to feed four thousand people, and that there was enough left over. It should be clear to everyone that, with Jesus, no one will ever be in want.
The fact that those whom Jesus fed were four thousand also says something important. We know that there are four corners of the earth – so these four thousand men represent the whole of mankind. Jesus has enough to meet the needs of all mankind, both physical and spiritual needs.
Symbolically, the bread and fish represent Jesus Himself. He is the Bread of Life who came down from heaven. He is the one who gave himself for us, who died as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. His grace is immeasurable and perfect, like the number seven, which in the Gospel of the feeding of the four thousand represents both loaves and leftovers.
God has not forsaken us. He watches over us; He has compassion for us; He feeds and refreshes us and gives us strength to journey to our heavenly home.