22/03/12

Recipients and Donors

Luke 22:32 - But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.


Jesus knew Simon Peter would go through a rollercoaster ride with his faith. To avoid him from becoming a casualty due to loss of faith Jesus prayed for Simon Peter, but there is something interesting to know the instructions which Jesus gave to Simon Peter to do after he recovers.

Jesus did not tell Simon Peter after he recovers to do good works, or grow more, or go and heal the sick. All these things are secondary; the primary most important task that Jesus instructs Simon Peter to do is strengthen thy brethren. What was done unto him, he had to do unto others.

If one looks at the miracles recorded in the Bible which Jesus did, all of them were unique in nature except for one and that is multiplication of bread which was done twice. The process of multiplication was the same and in the miracle Jesus was not the only one involved. He demonstrated it to the disciples how it was done. The disciples demonstrated it to the people and the people to each other. The best part of the miracle was everyone was party to performing it.

The only unique part between the two miracles was the quantity of loaves and fishes, the number of people and the numbers of baskets filled of the leftovers. It is interesting to note them and Jesus also brings this fact up to His disciples so that they take a note of it.

The five loaves fed five thousand people and the leftovers filled twelve baskets.
The seven loaves fed four thousand people and the leftovers filled seven baskets.

Were the four thousand more hungry that less baskets of leftovers were collected?

If one analysis the way the miracle was performed one will realize all received one bread and a fish yet we see the five loaves after feeding five thousand caused twelve baskets to be leftover, but the seven loaves after feeding four thousand resulted only in seven baskets of leftovers.

If one understands Bible Numerics then one would understand the awesome message that the Lord is giving us through these miracles. Like I pointed out in my earlier messages five symbolizes humans in the flesh (body), seven symbolizes the Holy Spirit, four this physical / natural world and twelve the Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Through the feeding of the five thousand the Lord is telling us when we are healed in the flesh or carnal selves we need to reach out to others and strengthen our brethren also to be healed in the same and this causes the growth of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. But when it comes to the spirit we need to reach out to the whole world not only our brethren and this causes the glory of the Holy Spirit to be manifested.

Lack of faith is to do more with the flesh then to do with the spirit and Simon Peter being healed of that had to do the same unto his brethren and this caused all to grow in the Holy Spirit. In the Kingdom of God we just cannot be recipients. Every recipient on receiving has to act as a donor. That is why Jesus said to the disciples 'ye should do as I have done unto you'.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, we do not see fruit of our efforts because either we just want to be only recipients and not donors or we have no direction of how to do what? In the Gospels the Holy Spirit made it a point to inspire the writers to make note of the finer points so that we can learn and thus prosper in your Kingdom. Lord, we pray You open the hidden things which are kept from the wise of this world till date so that we can glorify You and build your Kingdom...

This prayer we make in Jesus' Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scriptures ]
Mark 8:19-21
19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)