Leftovers

Is Jesus enough or more than enough? He is both! He is just enough for every situation we will face in this life, and He is more than enough, going beyond our perceived needs and wants in the moment. 

Jesus fed 5,000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, and later Jesus fed 4,000 with 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. In both scenes, Jesus reveals that He is enough in that moment of need. But Jesus also shows something else in those scenes. Jesus gave them leftovers, proving that He is more than enough. 

Mark 8:19-21 (NLT) 

When I fed the 5,000 with five loaves of bread, how many baskets of leftovers did you pick up afterward?” “Twelve,” they said. 

20 “And when I fed the 4,000 with seven loaves, how many large baskets of leftovers did you pick up?” “Seven,” they said. 

21 “Don’t you understand yet?” he asked them. 

Jesus gave them enough, and Jesus gave them more than enough. Jesus gave them leftovers, baskets of leftovers. Most people are familiar with these two miracles of Jesus, but do you know about this one from the Prophet Elisha in the Old Testament? 

2 Kings 4:42-44 (NLT) 

One day a man from Baal-shalishah brought the man of God [Elisha] a sack of fresh grain and twenty loaves of barley bread made from the first grain of his harvest. Elisha said, “Give it to the people so they can eat.” 

43 “What?” his servant exclaimed. “Feed a hundred people with only this?” But Elisha repeated, “Give it to the people so they can eat, for this is what the LORD says: Everyone will eat, and there will even be some left over!” 44 And when they gave it to the people, there was plenty for all and some left over, just as the LORD had promised. 

There it is again…leftovers! This is not the prosperity gospel. No, this is the reality for those who find fellowship with God and live under the blessing of God. He is more than enough. 

In both stories, Jesus and Elisha, someone started by giving what they had to the work of God. In both cases, there was enough, and by God’s love and power, there were leftovers. Jesus offers that same leftover promise to us today. Do you believe Him? 

Luke 6:38 (NLT) 

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” 

Elisha knew what the people around him didn’t know or understand. Elisha knew the God who is not only enough, but more than enough…for this is what the LORD says: Everyone will eat, and there will even be some left over!” 

Maranatha, Hosanna, Hallelujah and Amen, 

Terry Cooper 

Lead Minister