In the last episode, we explored how the feeding of the multitudes connects to the Passover feast, reflecting on how Jesus, during His final Passover on earth, proclaimed Himself the “bread of life.” He reminded us that while earthly bread sustains temporarily, it is His flesh and blood that offer eternal nourishment.
This week, we’re wrapping up this series with a thought-provoking finale—a "strange math equation" hidden within the stories of the feeding of the 5,000 and the 4,000. Join us as we dive into the mystery:
Matthew 14:20 tells us, “So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.”
And in Matthew 15:37, “So they all ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left.”
This is the last insight—number 24 in the series: A Strange Math Equation.
As someone who excelled at math in school, I’m fascinated by numbers, but even I find myself baffled by this divine equation. Here’s what it looks like:
In the story of the feeding of the 5,000:
5 loaves + 2 fish = 5,000 men (plus women and children) + 12 baskets of leftovers
In the story of the feeding of the 4,000:
7 loaves + few fish = 4,000 men (plus women and children) + 7 baskets of leftovers
It’s a surprising inconsistency: why would fewer resources for more people yield more leftovers than abundant resources for fewer? Even AI struggled with the equation, stating that without more variables, it was impossible to solve.
In this episode, we delve into what this paradox teaches us about God’s divine provision, His mysterious ways, and the unfathomable nature of His plans. God’s wisdom surpasses human logic, as echoed in Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV):
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
This episode also includes an exciting announcement: my new book, Beyond Boundaries: 24 Insights from the Feeding of the Multitudes, launches on November 17, now available for pre-order on Amazon. In Beyond Boundaries, I invite you to uncover deep, life-changing lessons from Jesus’ miracles and experience the spiritual nourishment they offer in our everyday lives.
Thank you for joining us on this 24-week journey. I hope you’ll find this last insight as inspiring as I did. Don’t forget to connect with me at [akinsd.com/podcast] or via my YouTube channel.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your infinite wisdom that surpasses all understanding. Help us to trust You even when Your ways defy our logic. Guide us to embrace the wonder of who You are. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.
Amazon Link to Beyond Boundaries: https://amzn.to/3B4GFcE
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