Making Good On A Promise

As a new year begins, I thought I’d make good on a promise… But I am a little ahead of myself.  Allow me to explain: 

You see, a few days ago, I was reminded of something; an event -a miracle, in fact-which happened many, many, years ago. … Back when Jesus walked the earth… (Please, don’t drift off here; bear with me.)  But before I get to the heart of the matter, let me give the reader a little background information as to the context within which this particular miracle took place. Here I go: 

You see, Jesus had just found out, that John the Baptist, who was Jesus’ cousin, (humanly speaking), and more importantly, had been appointed as God’s messenger to prepare the way-and thus, the people for the first coming of Jesus Christ-by leading them to the repentance of their sins, and by baptizing them with water, (refer to Matthew 3:1-13, and Luke 1:76-79), had been beheaded by King Herod. 

Hence, Jesus headed-along with His twelve disciples-to a deserted place. But once the multitudes heard about what had taken place, they left their cities, and followed Jesus on foot.   

(Meanwhile, Jesus was on a boat, crossing to the other side of a river...) When Jesus left the boat, and saw the great multitude of people, He had compassion on them, and He healed those who were sick among them.

As evening approached, Jesus’ disciples asked Jesus to dismiss the multitude, in order for them to go to the nearby villages, to buy food. For, as noted earlier, Jesus had been followed by a multitude of people, to a deserted place, it was getting late, and Jesus’ disciples did not see how a great multitude could be fed, given their remote location, and the scarcity of food.

But Jesus, in all of His wisdom, put his disciples’ faith to the test, by telling them to feed the multitude. This can be clearly seen in Matthew 14:16. It reads as follows:

“But Jesus replied, "That isn't necessary -- you feed them."  

(Matthew 14:16; New Living Translation)

The disciples, in turn, naturally replied with disbelief; (much like I do sometimes...) Saying:

"Impossible!" they exclaimed. "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish!"  

(Matthew 14:17; New Living Translation)

But Jesus, surprised His disciples yet again, by teaching them an amazing lesson. Yet, before we go into that, let us go back to Jesus’ response to His disciples’ claim regarding the scarcity of food. The Word of God reads as follows:

“Bring them here," [H]e said [referring to the five loaves and two fish]. Then [H]e told the people to sit down on the grass. And [H]e took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and asked God's blessing on the food. Breaking the loaves into pieces, [H]e gave some of the bread and fish to each disciple, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand men had eaten from those five loaves, in addition to all the women and children!  

 (Matthew 14:18-21; New Living Translation)

Isn’t that amazing? 

Isn’t wonderful to see the wonders that God is able to do with what is made available to Him?

He fed 5,000 men-not counting women and children-until they were all satisfied! And as if that were not enough, there were twelve baskets of leftovers. (I don’t know about you, but that constitutes quite a miracle to me!)

  

You see, even now, as I read this small portion of Scripture, I am reminded, (yet again), that of the lesson that Jesus taught his disciples. It was unquestionably a lesson of faith; yes. But other lessons can be learned from it as well. For instance, I have learned-or better yet-reminded of the fact, that it is not about how much-or how little-we have to offer Him. But rather, about what making what we do have-that is, whatever has been entrusted onto us-available to Him. Only then, will He be able to multiply what we make available to Him, and cause His Holy Name to be glorified! (Amen! Amen! And Amen!)

I, for one, do not have much to give… But I am making good on a promise to give Him my “five loaves and two fish…” (Matthew 14:17b)…My heart, my life, and these words of mine…

I know these aren’t really mine to begin with. For everything belongs to the LORD! (Amen!) Yet, these are the “five loaves and two fish” (Matthew 14:17b), which God has entrusted me with. Therefore, may God take them, and multiply them. So that His Holy Name may be glorified! (Amen! Amen! And Amen!)

Before I conclude this blog post, I strongly encourage you-the reader-to take some time to dive into the Word of God, and read this remarkable, and miraculous, true story for yourself; directly from its source. The account of the multiplication of the five loaves of bread and the two fish, is found in the book of Matthew, chapter 14, beginning from verse 13 thru 21.

May this remarkable true account of a miraculous event, minister to your heart, twice as much, as it did to mine!

May the LORD our God, bless you and keep you all!

Have a very blessed and Happy New Year!!!!

To God be the glory, honor, and praise!

Forever & Always!

Amen, Amen, and Amen! (Hallelujah!)