| Loaves and Fishbones |
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| Written by Bill Morris |
| Thursday, 25 September 2008 15:14 |
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I was enjoying my meal of fresh fish and salad my wife had prepared, when I thought about Jesus eating the loaves and fishes. I wondered if he had to pick out the bones as I did. Then another thought came to me and the following short fictional story came into being based on John chapter 6 verses 5 to 11. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would. Now Jesus hadn’t actually asked for fish so this was a bonus to His hungry followers. Some in the crowd were genuine seekers but others simply came along to see what they could get from this Miracle Man. And they weren’t to be disappointed. He was actually providing plentiful food for this great multitude and it wasn’t going to cost them a penny! Thaddeus Bar-Judah (not his real name) was one of those followers. He had good reason to follow. He was one of “them that were diseased” that Jesus had healed earlier that day. It felt sooo good to be able to walk on his own two feet again. He didn’t have a job because he’d lost it when he fell ill but, hey, who needs a job when this Miracle Man can provide all his needs? Thaddeus sat down in the soft green grass and watched excitedly as Jesus continued to break the loaves and fishes and distribute the fresh piles of food to the disciples who in turn distributed them to the people. He could feel his stomach rejoicing with anticipation. Finally, the basket came his way and he savoured the aroma of freshly baked bread and flavoursome fish. Mmm-mmm, that sure smells good he thought. He reached out and eagerly grabbed a huge chunk of bread and a large portion of fish. This was more than he could beg in a week when he was sick. He bit off a piece of bread and it just melted in his mouth. How on Earth could He have done this strange miracle out here in the wilderness? The fish too had a wonderful aromatic smell as if cooked in the most exotic spices. He put the fish in his mouth and chewed enthusiastically. I wonder why He didn’t provide some lovely wine to wash this down like I heard He did at the wedding in Cana? You’d think He could have at least done that for us as…. Graach, cough, choke! A bone was caught in Thaddeus’ throat. I’m choking, he thought. I shouldn’t have eaten that fish. I just knew there had to be a catch to all this miracle stuff. Everyone was looking at him but he couldn’t speak. What’s wrong with everyone? Can’t they see I need help? Couldn’t He have given me fish without a bone in it? Doesn’t he see me? Did He heal me just to kill me out here away from my family? Thaddeus was hunched over with his face in the grass, almost at the stage of passing out, when he felt a hand on his back. The bone. It’s gone, I can breathe. Thank God, I can breathe! He looked up to see who was kneeling next to him. And…it was Him. It was Jesus who had laid His hand upon him. Jesus had a look of concern in His eyes but Thaddeus noticed a twinkle of humour there too, as He smiled, handed him a bowl of water and said, Man shall not live by bread alone. Not even if it’s with a little bit of fish. Thaddeus’ heart melted and he felt so ashamed for his selfishness as he recalled what happened to his ancestors when they complained about the manna that God so lovingly had provided in the wilderness. Psalm 78:18-31 And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust. Yea, they spoke against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel; Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation: Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven, And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven. Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full…He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea…So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire…But while their meat was yet in their mouths, The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel. Psalm 106:15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Yes, the story is fictional. But our attitude at times is not. We thank God for His goodness and the good times but balk at the hard times that He allows to come our way for our own good. Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. God scourges His children? Yeeouch! That doesn’t sound like the promised Love. But so it is. As children I am sure we would prefer a diet of lollies, ice cream and soft drink to a balanced meal of meat and three veg. Children don’t have an understanding of what’s good for them. But thank God, our Heavenly Father knows what’s best for us, so we should accept it without complaint. 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Even if there’s a chance it has fishbones. |
| Last Updated ( Sunday, 12 October 2008 23:42 ) |