Fishes And Loaves And Being Like Jesus. Series

JN 6:8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

Sometimes we come across a practical problem that requires a solution. The solution appears impossible to resolve to the unqualified mind. Cars produce those kind of problems - mechanics produce the answer. In Riversdale where we pump our water out of the ground we occasionally get pump and water problems that appear to have no real solution. Plumbers and electricians come up with the solution.

Computers!!!!!!!!! There are computer technicians and there are computer wreckers who pose as technicians and you have to be able to recognise one from the other.

In life we can face all kinds of problems.

In John chapter 6 we read of a problem. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother faced a dilemna. His problem was a multitude of 5,000 people - who were hungry.

His resource a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish.

His question; "........... how far will they go among so many?"

It was a big problem they felt very deeply Philip had earlier looked on the huge crowd with despair and had said:-

JN 6:7"Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

This is a problem of mammoth proportions.

This crowd had gone out on a limb for Jesus. From Capernaum to the other side of the Sea of Galilee was a distance of about 7 kilometres and Jesus had set sail. The people had been watching with astonishment the things he did; it was easy to see the direction the boat was taking; and they hastened round the top of the lake by land.

7 kilometres across the lake but 15 kilometres on land up the river were the fords of Jordan. Near Bethaida Julias, almost on the lakeside, was a little plain where the grass always grew. This multitude of people - from all over were now 15 kilometres from their starting point and they were starving.

JN 6:7"Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"

"Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"

That was the problem!!!

When our car breaks down we consult the mechanic.

When our computer breaks down we go to the Computer technician.

But when we face the impossible - who do we do?

We go to the one with the ability to address the problem!!!!!

We have a huge crowd of people at least 5,000.

This crowd is hungry at at least 15 kilometres from home.

The only food available is five small barley loaves and two small fish.

And we have Jesus of Nazareth.

Let us pause in this account to do what Hebrews chapter 12 and verse 3 says:- Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

This week you will have faced a considerable different number of situations.

Concerns about all manner of things will have come up for you.

This week I have encountered a number of different folk facing all kinds of things.

Some people have grown weary and some have been tempted to lose heart.

When we come to Hebrews chapter 7 and ask the question - How is Jesus portrayed to us in this chapter??

Because chapter 7 is all about Jesus Christ.

It is interesting when I was reading - from the imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis this week - chapter 5 _ On reading the Scriptures sprang out for me.

In it I read, Truth not eloquence is to be sought in Holy Scripture.

Each part of the Scripture must be read with the same Spirit by which it is written.

If you desire to benefit, read with humility, simplicity and faith, and never desire to make yourself appear learned.

HEB 7:1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.

For now, let us leave the disciples, Jesus and the 5,000 there on the edge of the sea of Galilee Near Bethaida Julias on a little plain where the grass always grew.

Let us freeze frame that picture and ask the verses that we have read -

What is it about Jesus that would inspire us to confidence in this impossible situation????