The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

John 6:1-14, “After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias).
2 A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick.
3 Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples.
4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near.
5 Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?”
6 This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.”
8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,
9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?”
10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So, the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted.
12 When they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.”
13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.
14 Therefore, when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”

Israeli kids are everywhere! I will never forget the lad that asked me if I knew where America was. I tried to look puzzled as I asked him, “Where is it?” He grinned as he said, “It’s right in the middle of Jerusalem!” Do you see what he meant?

It is kids like that who followed the crowds that followed Jesus. We will never know the parting words of that mother to her son; but my guess would be that she said, “Don’t go too far and don’t forget to take a lunch.” She would never have guessed the value of that meager amount of food.

What does it take to convince people of the love and concern that Jesus has for them? Would what Jesus then did have convinced you? It caused His disciples some concern when they discovered the lad had only five small barley loaves and two very small fish.

Still, it’s not how much do you have; it’s how much power does Jesus have! First, everything was set in order. At Jesus direction, the nearly 5,000 people were ordered to sit on the ground. Jesus then prayed over the food, recognizing His Heavenly Father’s
provision.

When we have too much, and it costs us nothing, we have a tendency to waste what is left over. So, when the multitude had eaten as much as they wanted, Jesus orderd that what was left be gathered, so that nothing was wasted.

“When the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, ‘This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’”

Have you ever thought that the LORD provides the food that you eat? That’s why we pray over our food. Have you ever thought that the LORD, who provides your food, provides everything you have –and for your good? Do you thank Him for it?

“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (Jas. 1:17). Just don’t forget to thank Him.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom