Friday 17th February
Read John 6:11-13
“Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.” (NIVUK)
The early church saw significance in the amount left over, reported in all four gospels. The twelve baskets represented the blessing of Israel’s twelve tribes, whilst the second feeding of the four thousand and the seven baskets left over reflects the blessing of the Gentile world. The distinction is also evident in the word for ‘basket’ used in each story, a ‘Jewish’ basket here, and a ‘Gentile’ basket in the narrative of the four thousand.
The parallels many have observed between Jesus taking the loaves, giving thanks and distributing the bread with the Lord’s supper are likely coincidental. The head of a Jewish household would typically do this and it is no surprise that John reports it in these words. The link to the ‘eucharist’ may sit at a broader level. The first sign John records is the provision of an abundance of wine at a wedding feast in which Jesus was not host. As Jesus’ ministry continues, He Himself hosts many people in the wilderness and supplies them with an abundance of bread. An overflow of bread and wine. Satisfaction and fullness for the people. The links to the Lord’s supper may be drawn out by Jesus later but the miracle of the feeding is about abundance and blessing.
