LUKE 9:10–17
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over
(Luke 9:17).
After Jesus had been teaching the crowd for most of the day, His disciples reminded Him that the hour was late and that the crowd should be dismissed so that they could get something to eat. Jesus, however, told the disciples that they were going to feed them. He took five loaves of bread and two fish, gave thanks for them, and then had the disciples distribute them. After 5,000 people had eaten their fill, there were twelve baskets of scraps left over.
This miracle has occasioned a great deal of grief in the camp of those who are identified as theological liberals. Liberalism was a clearly defined theological position in nineteenth-century theology which held to a flat denial of any miraculous event in history. They ran into a serious problem with this story, because it is so well attested, being found in all four gospels.
To illustrate the folly of this view, let me share two of the explanations for this event that liberalism offered. One is that the disciples went through the crowd and found those who had brought food and were willing to share it. A young boy had given the initial five loaves and two fish, and Jesus preached on this, and was able to persuade those who had food to share. Thus, the “real miracle” was that the people learned to share their lunch!
A more cynical explanation was offered by another liberal, who held that Jesus pulled off a charade. Supposedly, Jesus and the disciples had stored food in a hidden cave. Jesus preached in front of this cave, blocking it from view, and the food was passed from Him to the crowd!
I think it is important for us to realize the extent to which serious scholars have been willing to go in order to cast doubt on the truth of the biblical witness. There are still many in churches today who teach such blasphemous things. The Gospels, however, tell us clearly that this miracle occurred. Those who teach otherwise are less than honest in their handling of Scripture.
CORAM DEO
2 Kings 15–17
John 6:1–21
Consistency demands that if we deny the miraculous here, we must do so throughout the entire life of Christ—Incarnation through to the Resurrection and Ascension. Read 1 Corinthians 15 and consider the implications for you and all mankind when dismissing the miraculous.
For further study: Matthew 15:32–38; John 10:22–42
thursday
may