When five thousand people were fed with five loaves, how many baskets full of pieces did you gather?” They answered Him, “Twelve.”
Jesus reminds them not only of the miracle, but also of its details, so that their mind may return to the reality they saw. The mention of the twelve baskets is especially important, because God’s work was so evident that even the number of leftovers was remembered. This question shows that faith is not built on empty memories, but on real historical experiences in which God’s help was visible. When the Lord asks such things, He is not seeking information, but the restoration of trust. In the same way, in the believer’s life those memories must be kept, when God has intervened in an unmistakable way. Those memories, in times of future trials, become a spiritual weapon. If He fed them then, He can also provide now. This verse reminds us that God’s former mercies are not only past joys, but also serve as foundations for present faith.