The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes
Jesus... withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote plate, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.
Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
"We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish." they answered.
"Bring them here to me," he said. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Matthew 14:13-21
In front of his God, Jesus could forget himself without any pretense or excuse. He was willing to do anything for the sake of the Father's will. We should become sons and daughters who inherit the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus gave us the words of the gospels during the 30-odd years of his life. When he met starving people as he was going around with his disciples, he fed 5,000 with five loaves and two fishes. He gave everything he could. He introduced faith, life, and love. He introduced all that humanity could demand.
Have you ever received the words of Jesus as his substantial body? Have you ever felt through the words of Jesus that he is the embodiment of God's eternal faith? Have you ever felt through the words of Jesus that he is the embodiment of eternal life? Have you ever felt through the words of Jesus that he is the embodiment of eternal love? If you cannot feel this even after you have heard Jesus' words, then Jesus' heart will be torn.
Oh Father; We Welcome You!
March 9, 1959
The countless people who were following Jesus believed he was the Messiah and the Savior of the people when he showed them the miracle of the loaves and fishes. Yet when Jesus was killed, all the people abandoned him and went away. If the people who were following Jesus had understood the internal heart of Jesus toward heaven, if they had understood that he possessed a deeply penetrating heart toward God and that he came to take responsibility for the whole history of the dispensation, they would have realized his situation and followed him. Furthermore, following them, the whole nation of Israel also would have followed Jesus.
Let Us Climb Over the Hill of Historical Misfortune
January 19, 1958
Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14
We believe with our eyes and our experiences.
Jesus wants us to “live by faith and not by sight.”
1. God is in control.
God will often test our faith.
How far are we mentally and spiritually prepared to go?
Nothing catches God by surprise.
He already knows what he is going to do.
2. God is about Multiplication.
When what you have in your hand is not enough; give it to God!
A little bit in our hand, is more than enough in God’s hands.
3. Multiplication often requires Trust.
If he gives what he has to these people, what would he eat?
This young boy had to put trust in Jesus when giving all he had.
The disciples trusted that they would not be embarrassed in front of all these people.
4. Multiplication often requires Sacrifice.
Sacrifice is often celebrated in Scripture!
The Boy gave all that he had for the purposes of God that day. He personally went from a position of comfort to discomfort, not knowing the outcome.
Sacrifice drives our comfort.
5. Multiplication is a result of God’s work, not our work.
Although the boy supplied the meal and the disciples disperse the meal they were only participants in the performance of God’s miracle.
God wants us to trust in the same way when it comes to our possessions.
God rewards those who sacrifice for kingdom purpose.
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