In the parable of Jesus feeding the 5000 what do the loaves and fishes represent?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1st Corinthians 11: 23-32, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Becoming A Christian Believer (08/08/2016); To Drink Holy Blood? (02/16/2015); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013); Eat His Body, Drink His Blood (03/21/2013); Foolish For Not Believing? (03/22/2013)
“Digital”, among mature Christian believers, the different accounts of Jesus feeding the multitude are reports of “sacred events” (we say, miracles) that pertain to the full revelation of divinity, rather than simply parables that provide doctrine through illustrations, and object lessons. Sacred events must be apprehended through discernment (i.e., using ones own divine spirit content to recognize and respond to eternal purpose and spirit matter within actions, messages, oneself, other persons, prophecy, Scripture, etc.).
Many understand the feeding events to be covenant meals that signal agreement and commitment. These miracles serve as emblems (like a policeman’s badge) granted to the Son of GOD indicating the lawful authority, sovereignty, and unity with the Father and the Holy Spirit whereby the Son appears as Creator, owner, and ruler over all that exists. Divine order and sacred law are established as the people are arranged in groups of 50. An overwhelming abundance and plenty are signaled through use of a fragment and portion. Acceptance and trust are manifest, rather than anxiety, or fear there may not be enough to include me also. Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, in addition to the things needed for sustaining “the flesh” (i.e., appetite, sensation, emotion/mental functions), the entire range of resources for spiritual life are pledged and supplied. Included are cleansing, forbearance, forgiveness, healing, hope (i.e., specific expectations), joy, meekness, mercy that comes only by judgment, rebirth, resurrection, and sanctification.
The loaves and fish become devices to further make visible the “active presence” of GOD who is spirit, and the special truth that GOD must abide as Spirit within the living. Consider again how some of this is stated using language from the Bible:
(1.) John 6: 27-30, King James Version (KJV): 27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
(2.) John 6: 47-53, KJV: 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. 48 I am that bread of life. 49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. 52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
(3.) John 6: 54-58, KJV: 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. 58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
There is far more to be said, carefully examined, and spiritually understood. (For example, (4.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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