Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: He Is the Savior Who Cares!

"The Christian is to ask largely, according to his present need, and must use at once the riches provided. Christ's promises are more than beautiful sentiments to be hung upon the wall for decorative purposes. They are not intended as life-savers for use only in time of shipwreck. In the presence of such divine provision, there is no excuse for spiritual poverty."  -Dr. Harry Ironside.

The feeding of the five thousand is the one miracle, along with the resurrection, that is included in all four Gospels (Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13). It held strong appeal, especially for those who had learned of Israel’s experience in the wilderness when God “rained down manna upon them to eat, and gave them food from heaven” (Psalm 78:24).

It still holds strong appeal for this sign shows Jesus to be the supplier of men’s needs (1 Corinthians 10:3-5). He is the Living Bread (John 6:51), the True Bread of God (John 6:33), the True Bread out of heaven (John 6:32). He is the one who daily feeds the whole world by creating harvest fields from a few grains. [Morris, John, 340-341]

This miracle reminds us that Jesus is the universal Savior. When Jesus fed the five thousand (Mark 6:35-44), the crowd was made up of Jews. When this miracle is performed, Jesus is in a part of the country that is mostly Gentile. He wants His disciples to know that He came to save people from every “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” (Revelation 14:6). Yes, Jesus came as the Jewish Messiah, but He came knowing the Jews would reject Him (John 1:11).

Still, ultimately, Jesus came to this world to die on the cross for the sins of His people (Matthew 1:21). Jesus came to give His life for “whosoever” would trust Him for salvation (Revelation 22:17). He is the only Savior (John 14:6). He is a universal Savior (John 3:16).

This miracle reminds us that Jesus is more than sufficient to meet the needs that exist in His people’s lives. Consider: Ephesians 3:20. That verse reminds us that He is able to do anything.

• He is able to meet the needs in your life (Matthew 6:25-34). It doesn't matter how big your giant; how tall your mountain; how deep your valley; He is more than sufficient for the need!

• He is able to give you comfort through all the storms of life (2 Corinthians 12:9).

• He is able to empower you to do His will (Philippians 4:13).

• He is able to walk with you every mile of the way (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20).

• He is able to be exactly Who you need Him to be in all the stages of your life (Exodus 3:14; Psalm 84:11-12).

• His supply always meets or exceeds the need! Only He can do that!

This miracle reminds us that He has all that we need for the journey home. When the people were filled, Jesus had His men collect the remnants of the meal and He sent the people away. What did they do with seven baskets full of food? These baskets could hold a couple of hundred pounds each! I'm just speculating here, but I think that the people were encouraged to take some with them so they would have enough along the way home.

It also serves as a mental note that we are a people of little faith. The disciples had already seen Jesus feed a greater crowd with less food, but they still doubted Him when this problem arose. How many times has the Lord come through for you? How many times has He moved a mountain for you? 

How many times has He brought you through your valley? How many times has He come through for you when there seems to be no way through? And how many times have you still doubted Him when the next trial came up in your life? 

How much better off would we be if we could just learn to trust Him? How much better off would we be if we adopted the attitude of Job (Job 1:20-21)? How much better off would we be if we adopted the attitude of Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)? How much better off would we be if we just took the simple advice of Jesus to heart (Mark 11:22-24)?

This miracle reminds us that our God is not a miserly God. He proved more than enough for those people. And, it is His desire to give you more than enough, as well (Luke 12:32; John 10:10). Likewise, this miracle teaches us that great things can happen, if we can just get the need into His hands! A small amount of bread and fish became sufficient for a multitude because they got it into His hands.

So, what are you looking at today? Are you staring at an impossible situation wondering how it will turn out? Get it to Jesus; He is the Savior Who cares! Are you lost and in need of a Savior? Do you understand that the only way you will ever be saved is to come to the Lord Jesus by faith?

Get it to Jesus; He is the Savior Who cares! Are your mountains high and your valleys deep today? Does your heart break under the load it carries? Get it to Jesus; He is the Savior Who cares!

My dear friends, Christ always has been the provider of His people’s needs. He will always be. The question is: "Will we see our true needs and look to Him to provide them?" Jesus is the One who is the hope of the Second Exodus, which will lead to freedom from mankind’s slavery to self, sin, and Satan. This miracle, rightly understood, points to Jesus as the Messiah and to a heavenly kingdom.

Whatever the need, if the Lord has spoken to your heart today, get it to Jesus; He is the Savior Who cares!

Scripture: Hebrews 11:6; Psalm 18:2; John 14:1; Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 3:15; Proverbs 10:3; Revelation 2:3  

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi