Mathematics thought by Jesus

Jn 6:1-15 tells us how Jesus fed five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two small fish. Isn't that fascinating ? My family consists of four people and yet it takes more than just five pieces of bread to feed us at one time but let us keep aside the physical aspect of the miracle and take a look at what Jesus tried to tell us through this entire episode.

Before Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee, He was at the pool of Bethesda where He performed healing miracles and preached. This caused a huge crowed to be gathered around him, which later followed Him to the mountain. Since these people had gathered in faith, He did not want to send them back empty handed. So He decided to feed them on the mountain itself. Here lies a beautiful truth about God which most of us tend to overlook. When you seek God with all your heart, not bothered about what will happen to you, He will show His compassion towards you and will never let you go back hungry and disappointed. He will make sure that you are in a way "fed" till your needs are satisfied.

Next, when Jesus decided to feed the people, He asked asked Philip where they would get some bread. The bible tells us that He did this only to test Philip and that Jesus knew what He would do. Similarly, when faced with a difficult situation, we must remember that God allows us to get into trouble (He doesn't put us in such situations we do it ourselves) only to test us. He wants to make sure that His children are still with Him.

Now when Jesus put forth the proposal of feeding the multitude before his disciples, they were not sure how they would accomplish this mammoth task. Philip even goes on to say that half a year's wages (or 200 silver pieces) would not suffice to buy bread for everyone. The very same men who had seen Him bring the dead to life, heal the sick and deliver the possessed were saying that it couldn't be done. Then if we read verses 10-13 we see the brilliance of God at work.

"¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. ¹² When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” ¹³ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten."

We have a very important lesson to learn here. Often in life we find ourselves in the need of love and happiness. We find that what we have is not enough for us. In such a situation let the above verses be an instruction manual to us by which we may have His everlasting love and joy.

When Jesus was given those fives loaves and two fish, they were not YET enough to feed the five thousand men. He then raised it up to His father in heaven and GAVE THANKS and then fed the crowd with it. Let's just have a look at it again. Now, when we don't have enough of something we normally ask for more, but Jesus thanked God for what he had and by the grace of God it was multiplied. It was not only sufficient to feed the crowd, but they also collected twelve baskets of left over bread. Amazing isn't it ? That is something we should learn to do too. Whatever minimal amount of happiness we might have, we must raise it up to our father in heaven and thank him with all our heart for it and rest assured, it will be multiplied manifold. He will fill us with exceeding happiness. So much that not only will it be sufficient for us but we will collect leftovers in abundance. The same goes for love. Also, Jesus did not allow the leftovers to go waste. He collected them back. Similarly, when God gifts us with happiness and love, it is our duty not to let it go waste but collect the excess and give it to the ones who are less fortunate.

With that said, I would like to end it here. I know this was a bit long but thank you for reading it.

Pio Colaco