Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Perhaps it was Jesus' act of initially breaking the bread and fishes in pieces Himself that contributed to the miraculous fact that the bread and fishes were apparently continually replenished as they were distributed throughout the assembled crowd. (It would have been necessary to break them in some form and at some point in any event before they could be eaten, since (it seems to me) a loaf of bread or an entire fish could not be swallowed whole.)

He may have done it also to set an example or as an encouragement to the people not to be selfish (even though He intended to feed them all), by making it easier to take no more than any one person needed (although there were twelve baskets of "leftovers" collected after the people had eaten all that they wanted).

January 30 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Nils Jansma Missionary in San Diego California

It appears to me that this was the only way the loaves could be “multiplied.” Think of it. Since the bread was not produced by normal means, that strongly implies that Jesus actually “created” the bread and fish for this special occasion. In other words, he produced bread and fish (matter) out of nothing. That is the same thing he did during the creation of the “heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 11:3) 

Another detail to consider is that once the process started, it could continue for as long as there was need. Every group that received a portion of bread and fish created by Jesus, could continue to draw from that supply indefinitely. We know this because of the 12 baskets of left overs. (Mark 6:43) 

Apparently, Jesus had the power to perform miracles at a distance as when he cured the Centurion’s servant. (Matthew 8:8-13) Another example of food being created out of nothing is found at 1 Kings 17:1-16. There it talks about a food source that was automatically renewed until a drought ended. In this case, it was the LORD (YHWH) that caused this miracle.

The significance of this is that only God can create something out of nothing. So this event and others are a testimony to the deity of Christ, in my opinion.

June 22 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Gerritt Schuitema Persecutor & Mocker transformed to Faithful Believer

This is the Gospel. Following the verse closely now:

1. The loaves, or bread

Jesus, Y'shua, our Messiah, the Son of God, he is our bread. He elsewhere claims 'I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.' - Jhn 6:35. He claims to be the living bread that has come down, being given by God out of heaven. John also, he introduces Jesus as the word of God made flesh, come down out of heaven. 

Now, it is clearly written in the 3rd verse of the 8th chapter of Deuteronomy that God's children might 'know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live'. Or, as the Lord himself said 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.' - Mt 4:4. Truly he is our living bread.

2. Notice next how He 'breaks' the bread. 

Jesus also, broke his body for us. Paid for our sin with his life. It is written that he would be 'crushed' and that 'his soul' would be 'an offering for sin'. He was 'lifted up' (Jhn 3:15, 6:40, 8:28, 12:32, Isa 52:12-15, Isa 53, Num 21:9, Isa 45:22-23, Php 2:1-11, Rom 10:6-13) on the cross and is 'lifted up' by the Holy Ghost today, through praise and exaltation of Him, as the Spirit draws all attention to Him! 

Look at Him. 

High and lifted up for our transgressions, our iniquities, our judgment. Suffering our torment, shame and death. Drinking down the wrath of God for us.

In this very context, Jesus, takes bread, leans in for a closer, more intimate context, and breaks it, and says to you, and to me 'Take, eat, this is my body', 'given for you. This do in remembrance of me' (Mk 14:22, Lk 22:19)

3. Next, notice how he gives it to his disciples, whom then give it to others. He operates through his body (much to say here, but staying to topic)

4. Notice how this food was enough for all. 

Christ's sacrifice is a never ending fountain of grace. Fully capable of covering and sprinkling all. All whom the Father gives will come (Jhn 6:39), and all who come can wash themselves clean (Rev 7:14), and though our sins be as scarlet, yet shall they be as white as snow (Isa 1:18). All of them. All.

5. Finally, note verse 42 'And they did all eat, and were filled'

Yes! Amen! I can personally testify. It is, He is... this word for 'filled' in the text, it can carry the connotation of satisfaction, and I will suggest that is the force of the word here. Not only did all eat, but all were 'filled' or satisfied. So much so, they sought him out more (Jhn 6:26)

This is the good news. There is so much to say. There is so much here. Just remember the good news.

God is Holy, Holy, Holy (Isa 6). Mankind has fallen (3:12) and the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23), but God (Eph 2:4). Christ, the living bread came down, and broke his body for us, and poured out his soul to make a new covenant. And now, He is risen, and invites us, that rather than being in the garden 'with God', wherever we are, everywhere we are, He is 'in us', the hope of glory. 

Christ be with you all, and in you all, for the glory of God our Father.

June 23 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report