Matthew 15:32-37
Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

Hunger is weariness and weakness. Hunger is emptiness. Hunger is lack. Hunger is vulnerability. Hunger can be perilous. It can evoke feelings of desperation. And here was a large group of people in danger of fainting by the wayside because they’d had nothing to eat as they were out in this desert place with Jesus for three days. The truth is, our bodies need food to survive and thrive. Sustaining life requires bread. And Jesus refused to send these people away without giving them something to nourish and strengthen them for the journey because He cared about their current condition and their future well-being.

There in the wilderness, maybe they began to wonder what they were going to do. Maybe the hunger had started to gnaw at them and they could feel the faintness start to overcome them. But then suddenly those few loaves start to multiply and they are passed around until everyone has had their fill. It wasn’t a meager portion. It wasn’t a little bit just to get them started. It was enough—and even more than enough. Jesus, in His compassion, would fill every single person there to satisfaction.

Jesus says the same about us in our hunger and emptiness. He will not send us away fasting. Jesus, the Bread of Life come down from heaven, will fill us up to a place of satisfaction. He will sustain us in the wilderness. He will give more than enough so that we are strengthened for the journey and assured of His ability to provide for our every need. Jesus, that broken bread, ensures we can have eternal life if we are willing to partake of this food He offers that can satisfy the deepest hunger within us.