What Does That Little Fiish Symbolize?

This last Sunday the Gospel reading was the story of Jesus feeding five thousand (plus women and children) on five loaves of bread and two fish.

It is a most popular account in the New Testament.  We see symbols of its importance on shirts, sweatshirt and cars — the little fish. 

This is what I noticed in this story I had heard and preached about for years:

First I was aware of a God who was weary and tired of the demands of others and went away to a deserted place to rest.

However the needy crowd searched him out; because they needed what he had to offer.

Jesus rose to their demand because: and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.

Then I heard is about a compassionate God who makes something out of nothing.  

And has left overs for later..

This is what I am thinking about: A weary soul who has  given more than he was seemingly prepared for.

His strength had turned to a weary feeling of weakness. and all he needed was to rest awhile in a quiet place.

When the disciples got hungry they suggested that Jesus send the people away — go back to their homes — so the disciples, and Jesus, could sit quietly and share their meager basket of food. 

Jesus said no, ‘no you need to step up and help them out.’

‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’

And the weary Jesus said: ‘Bring them here to me.’

You know the rest of the story.

What I hope you will hear is that Jesus, only by the grace of God's strength, reached down deep into the  resources of his soul relying on God to provide.

 and he had compassion for them 

Compassion is much, much, more than simply being nice.  It is something that pulls at the deepest resourced of one’s being.

With his trusting heart he took that small offering, of just five loaves and two fish, raised them in thanks to God who made more than enough.

When we put our trust, as small as it may seem, in the hands of God we realize endless potential, 

                          abundant possibility.

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. ¹⁵When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ ¹⁶Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ ¹⁷They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ ¹⁸And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ ¹⁹Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. ²⁰And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. ²¹And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.(Matt. 14)