Jesus fed a multitude on two occasions that gained publicity. Many diners pursued Jesus, and joined by others continued the astounding reports of miracles. The crowd had grown in sophistication that included learned fellows, skilled in discussion. They confronted Jesus and stayed with the idea of food as subject for miracle. In some areas the miracle interest was primarily for food, more than physical healing. They asked Jesus for a sign (miracle), and noted that Israel had, long ago, received manna in the wilderness. Could Jesus match that miracle which, under Moses, repeated itself daily for decades? They tried to bait Jesus to continue over a period of time what he had so recently done – multiply loaves and fish. They baited him with the story of Moses who gave food in the wilderness for forty years, a superior miracle. Jesus knew that food supply was an interest, together with thoughts of what follows death in God’s plan and promise. He needed miracle to verify himself to them, but they held human objectives.
Jesus used the bread analogy to freight his message. Moses gave them bread in the wilderness, but they would be hungry again tomorrow. The process would have to be repeated. Jesus was not so deeply interested in the process of physical renewal, but in the fact that he was sent by his Father as Bread from Heaven. They could eat of the Bread he would give them and not be hungry again, or drink of the Water he would give, and never be thirsty again. They often fumbled with his spiritual message. Why? The offer seems too significant not to give attention to it.
The World is so much a part of what we are in natural life that it takes special insight to accept the concept that the spiritual dimension of man is more important than his physical. God understands our preoccupation. We could not survive without respect for nature and nature’s laws. Scientists are commonly upset at miracle claims. How can they manage with cause and effect in a creation that can be changed without human reason or natural order? A miracle is like a boy who simply interrupts gravity when he catches a falling ball. Miracles exist first to introduce God and for human relief, and are not an interference with order found in the operation of nature. To assist man to navigate in and through nature, God obscures miracles. They seldom appear obvious.
Miracles are not easy to identify, but there is enough of the miracle principle, a divine principle, that persons of faith can perceive that God is at work in their lives. We gain understanding in the little miracles of Jesus. For example, when, on the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, Jesus dismounted the older animal, and mounted the one on which no man had ridden, He performed a minor miracle. (This has been referred to on a previous page.) The colt had not been broken. Perhaps some of those throwing garments before the animal were trying to get the colt to buck and unseat the rider. It didn’t happen. Some peasants, knowing the situation, must have drawled, in their language idiom: Well, I’ll be! For those who have spiritual relationship to the Lord there are the little personal miracles of our lives – from prayer and faith. One learns that truth from experience. So it is that the Christian may have the blessing of both earth and heaven. From this pattern, persons of faith learn that there is lightness of being that accompanies our days – sometimes in minor miracles. When one finds that animation he or she awakens each morning with a sense of peace. From God’s consideration, in gentle care that is beyond explanation from nature, the blessing of God upon life, both for non-Christians and Christians is related to miracle, and provides cause for human attention to God. Providence is present. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020