Christ Jesus came into the world with a mission. Luke 19: 10 says for the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost. Jesus did so through love, care, compassion and forgiveness. An example of such character was when he fed five thousand men besides women and children with only five loaves and two fish (Read Matthew 14: 15-21; Mark 6: 35-44; Luke 9: 12-17; John 6: 3-14).
In summary, after Jesus had taught the people, they were hungry so the disciples requested him to send them away to find something to eat. Rather Jesus replied, you go and find them something to eat. The disciples brought five loaves and two fish which a child offered to them. Jesus blessed the same, asked the people to sit in groups, and shared the loaves and fish to five thousand men besides women and children. The leftovers were five baskets full. What was Jesus’ purpose for this?
Jesus proved his word
Matthew 6:33 says but seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. Jesus’ followers prioritized first God’s kingdom over their immediate physical food needs. The gospel of Christ Jesus was more important to their souls than food was to their bodies.
Having fed the people spiritually, Jesus also provided for their physical bodily needs. Numbers 23: 19 says God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should repent. When we put God first in all things, he will equally seek our needs first in all things.
Jesus showed he cares
Philippians 4:19 says my God shall supply every need of your according to his riches in glory in Jesus Christ. Jesus met the food needs of his followers by the miracle which he performed. He knew the hungry needs of his followers before the disciples asked him to send them away to fend for themselves.
Jesus solved the problem when the disciples approached him. 1 Peter 5: 7 says cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you. Jesus knows our needs and we must not shy away from asking for his help. What nourishment do we lack? Jesus is able to provide beyond our expectation. Call him now.
Jesus reminded us of our duties
We have a responsibility to care for one another but we often deny same. Jesus explained in Matthew 25:34-46 I was hungry without food, thirsty without water, stranger without welcome, naked without clothes, sick without visit, in prison and you did not visit me and as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.
When Jesus replied in Matthew 14: 16 they need not go away; give them something to eat, he reminded his disciples of their responsibilities to care for one another and not to deny same. Love without care is no love but wickedness.
Jesus showed us God’s invincibility
Every feat beyond man’s comprehension is a miracle. Sometimes God intervenes in the affairs of men through miracles. Jesus in feeding the five thousand men besides women and children showed God’s divine powers of invincibility beyond our faithlessness.
Naturally, five loaves and two fish cannot (a) feed five thousand plus people; and (b) yield remnants of five baskets full however the sizes of the baskets. Jeremiah 32: 27 says behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me? We must remember that in every circumstance, God remains God.
Jesus showed God’s channel of blessing
In feeding the five thousand, Jesus showed that God uses our substance to bless others. We are all God’s channels of blessing to others no matter who we are. We must not downplay how useful we are in God’s hands. No substance of ours is too small for God to use to bless others but only God knows its value.
The child was not selfish and his sacrifice worked for righteousness to save lives. Philippians 2: 3 says do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. God has given every one sufficient resource in many forms to help others. It could be your wisdom, knowledge, wealth, affection, etc. Are we God’s channel of blessing to the needy with our divine substance?
Jesus showed God knows our anxieties
The disciples became anxious when they found the people were hungry yet could not help or satisfy them. God who is Alpha and Omega knows all our anxieties when they arise. Philippians 4: 6 says have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. When the disciples asked Jesus for a solution, he provided an answer.
Jesus said in Luke 12: 22-23 therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what shall we eat, nor about your body, what you shall put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. The child was not anxious about what to eat and because of his childlike faith, he rather considered the lives of the others. This must be our attitude when we walk with Christ Jesus.
Jesus showed the way out in troubled times
A number of us get confused in times of troubles. No challenge is by an accident but by God’s purpose. 1 Corinthians 10: 13 says no temptation has overcome you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
In troubled times, we must be calm, believing in God in all circumstances. We must then approach Jesus in prayer. Psalms 55: 22 says cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. We must remain righteous when we approach him. James 5:16 says the prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. Righteousness removes barriers to prayers and enables Jesus to care for us in all things. In what state are we?
Prayer
We thank you blessed Lord Jesus Christ for caring for our needs. We thank you that in your care, you show us the way to escape in troubled times. We appreciate your blessings in diverse ways which we have taken for granted. Continue to remind us of our duty to serve and to love one another as you do for us. Protect and prosper our souls in your holy name, Amen!!
