I would like to use the instance of
the multiplication of the loaves of bread and fishes for a last
time. I find it very interesting that the same food were used in
both multiplications. When the 5,000 men were fed Jesus used 5
loaves and two fishes and when the 4,000 men were fed He used 7
loaves and a few fishes. Now I know that is what most of them ate
in the Mediterranean in those days, but there were many other
things they ate as well like dates, nuts, olives etc. But Jesus
used on both occasions loaves of bread and fishes. Last time we
looked at the significance of the numbers, but today I want us to
look at the significance of what He fed them with.
First of all let us look at the
loaves of bread. Jesus refers to Himself as the bread of life. We
read the following in John 6:33 and 6:51:
"For the bread of God is He who
comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."
"I am the living bread which
came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live
forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall
give for the life of the world."
Jesus came down from heaven and He
gives life to the world. If we partake of Him, we shall live
forever. He is our true life.
Secondly let us have a look at the
fish. In the first century of Christianity (and still today) the
symbol of Christianity is a fish. Why? Because Jesus said He will
make us fishers of men. Also interestingly fish in Greek is Ichthus
which translates into English as "Jesus Christ, Son of God,
Saviour".
So with the bread and with the fish
Jesus was referring to Himself. He was feeding the people with
Himself. He was giving them life. He was giving the fullness of
life to them by giving of Himself to them. Isn't that just amazing?
And in both instances it was recorded that there were baskets of
food left over. Why was this recorded? To prove to us that when
Jesus gives of Himself, He gives liberally. He satisfied their
needs to the fullness until it overflowed. Jesus never gives
sparingly or just enough, no, He gives more than enough. He is the
God of more than enough, the God of plenty. His storehouse of love
is full, filled to capacity, ready to burst over you.
We need to realise that Jesus in
all His fullness lives within us (Ephesians 3:19). I will repeat
again, Jesus in all His fullness lives within us. What can we lack?
What need could we possibly have that He cannot fulfil for us? Why
do we stress about the future and run around as if there is no hope
when He lives within us?
Jesus is standing with open arms.
He is within your spirit, waiting for you to open up your soul and
allow Him to flow through in all His fullness and to provide for
you. Allow Him to. He is a Gentleman and will never force Himself
on you. Give Him free access, give over and see how He multiplies
the loaves and the fishes in your life.
Thank you Jesus for providing for
us. We rejoice that You live in Your fullness within us. We rejoice
that we have a Saviour, a Mighty God to look after us. Hallelujah!
We give our lives fully into Your hands and we praise and honour
You. In Jesus' Name. Amen