From the desk of Pastor Ben

Lessons from the Feeding: Faithful Remnant Confirmed;
Unfaithful Rejecters Revealed

“Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.”         (Matthew 14:19-21)

The final two lessons of Jesus’ miraculous feeding are of the utmost spiritual significance to us. The event confirmed the presence of a faithful remnant. A segment of the crowd already believed and followed Jesus to be blesses, and others followed so they might believe and join that saved group. The apostle John recorded their attitude: “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God? . . . Then they said to Him, ‘Lord, always give us this bread’” (John 6:28, 34). The disciples observed not only the multitude receiving abundant food from seemingly so little, but also a tremendous illustration of Jesus’ compassion — and they praised and glorified Him for that. They saw a demonstration of the divine kingdom and the King Himself at work, and they appreciated the Lord’s integrity and stewardship. His miracle power was genuine, unlike the attempts of many charlatans and false prophets.
Sadly, this miraculous feeding also confirmed the presence of many unbelieving who rejected Christ. Most in the crowd merely saw what to them was simply a fascinating work of magic. Thus, the gospel significance of Jesus’ miracle fell on hard soil — the unbelieving saw the human Jesus but completely missed the Son of God. Jesus met their physical hunger as never before, but spiritually, they did not taste of the Bread of Life.

Ask Yourself:
Ultimately, only these two groups determine who is inside or outside God’s kingdom. Humbly examine yourself today and seek by faith to be among the faithful remnant.