If I talk to you about "Jesus feeding the multitudes of people", what event will you remember? For most people, they will remember about the miracle on the mount where Jesus fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish, leaving 12 baskets of food remains. But how many of you know that Jesus also fed 4,000 people later? I didn't know about this second miracle until I read it in Matthews during my One-Year Bible Reading Plan.

So, there are actually TWO occurences of Jesus feeding the multitudes:

Matthews 14:13-21 - Jesus fed 5,000 with 5 bread and 2 fish. There were 12 baskets of leftovers.

Matthews 15:29-39 - Jesus fed 4,000 with 7 bread and a few little fish. There were 7 baskets of leftovers.

See the meaning behind the comparison? God actually works better with less resources. It means that you should not be afraid and falter if you're facing a condition where it seems that there is no way out. God works better in near-zero condition. It is true when Paul said, "when I am weak, I am strong". Because when you are weak, you will reach out to Him with all your heart, and He will do a great work for you, so your faith will be strengthened.

Let's take another Scripture reading for more example, this time from John 11. It is the story of the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus Christ. From the earlier verses, we know that Maria and Martha have faith in Jesus, but how great was their faith? They believed that Jesus can heal the sick. That's why they asked Him to come to Bethany to heal the sick Lazarus. So in this earlier state, let's say that they have faith in Jesus as a doctor, but not yet a resurrector. Even as He went on to Lazarus' grave and was about to resurrect him, Martha still shown a sign of unbelief. She said, "LORD, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days". Okay, if Jesus can resurrect Lazarus, I'm sure that He can also deal with the details and some minor stuff, like making sure that Lazarus won't come out like a Resident Evil/Silent Hill walking zombie :p So, there the story went, Lazarus lived, and the faith of Maria, Martha and Lazarus was strengthened even more and evermore. Now they know that the Jesus they believe in is just not a healer of the sick but also a resurrector of the dead. What would be better? Heal the sick Lazarus or resurrect the dead Lazarus? I'm sure that all of you know the answer now.

That's why, despite the bad circumstances that might be surrounding us, we only have to believe in Him. I'm sure that Maria and Martha would have chosen Lazarus not to die, but if he didn't die, they wouldn't have been able to witness such mighty work from the hands of Jesus. Remember, if your life is on a turned-down situation right now, it might mean that God is preparing a glorious miracle and mighty work to be made in your life. Just wait ;)

Oh yeah, one more important thing that you have to remember and carve deeply into your mind:
God works better with less resources, but there's one resource He can't work without:  F A I T H


••• Thursday, January 22, 2004 •••