Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Nor the seven loaves of the four thousand and how many large baskets you took up? Matthew 16:10
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“Nor the seven loaves – the four thousand, and how many hampers you took?” (CG).
In the previous verse, Jesus reminded the disciples about the five loaves of the five thousand, asking them to recollect how many handbaskets they had taken up. He next reminds them of the second feeding of a multitude, saying, “Nor the seven loaves – the four thousand.”
If the chronology is as recorded by Matthew, this was a very recent event. It is recorded in Matthew 15:32-38, as the chapter closed out. Therefore, unless the events are not chronological, it has been an extremely short period of time since then.
They went to the area of Magdala, had an interaction with the Pharisees and Sadducees, and then they departed. Upon their departure to the other side, Jesus warned them about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The implication is that all of this was in a very short time span. And yet, Jesus is questioning them about what happened, as if they had completely forgotten. He continues with, “and how many hampers you took?”
The answer is seven hampers, meaning big basketfuls, of leftovers. How they could have forgotten that and worried about not having taken bread is a bit astonishing.
Life application: Despite being incredible that the disciples forgot the great thing Jesus did, how can we look down on them for having done so? Do we remember what Jesus did for us? He saved us from the power of sin and the hand of the devil.
One would think we would be constantly and eternally grateful for this. And yet, how often do we forget as we go through our daily lives? We may go back and do some of the stupid things we once did, or we may find some other thing that we never did before and pick up that habit.
Instead of living holy lives and honoring Him, we fail Him often. Imagine the words He would say to us! “Don’t you remember the pit you were in? Don’t you remember the joy of the day you first believed? How can it be that you have forgotten those things and have picked up the ways of the world again?”
The good news is, Jesus didn’t say, “You guys can’t be my disciples anymore. Your memory is short, and your level of understanding isn’t up to par.” Rather, He continued to work with them despite their many faults and limitations. And He will continue to work through those He has saved throughout the ages.
We are fallible creatures doing an imperfect job in telling the world about the goodness of God in Christ. This is how Jesus has set things up, and it is how God is being glorified as the years pass. When people point their finger at you and say, “You aren’t a good Christian because of XXX,” you can respond, “XXX is why I am a Christian. Jesus saved imperfect me. I understand my faults, and Jesus does too. We are in the process of getting me to be more like Him. That is why I need Jesus!”
If we were all perfected when we came to Christ, there would be no need for us to grow in Him. We wouldn’t be dependent on Him for our walk. But just as the universe is being held together by the power of His word, we are continually being saved by the power of His all-sufficient atonement.
Thank God for Jesus Christ, who has accepted us and granted us eternal life. How great He is! Let us not forget the great thing He has done and is doing for us. Praise God for His goodness to us.
Lord God, thank You for the surety we possess because of Jesus. We are ever-unfaithful, and yet You are ever forgiving of it because You have saved us through the fully sufficient sacrifice of Jesus. Despite our faults and waywardness, we are Yours. Hallelujah! Hooray for Jesus! Amen.