Matthew 14: 13-21

The five loaves, and the two fishes

 

When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.  And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.  But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.  And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.  He said, Bring them hither to me.  And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.  And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. (Matthew 14: 13-21)

It is about the miracle of "The five loaves, and the two fishes." It is related to the word of the end of the world. We need to understand Jesus' intentions about Israel to know the end. In Matthew 8: 5-12, there is a story of healing a servant of the Roman Centurion, Jesus telling about Israel.

『And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.  But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 』(5:11-12)

Israel would be kicked out. It means that the Gentiles will be saved first, and Israel will be saved later. This is in line with Matthew 19: 27-30.『 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?  And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.  But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. 』

In particular, in Matthew 19:30, “But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. 』 When Jesus was talking to a rich young man, these words were asked by the disciples, "Who will enter into heaven if you hear Jesus' words?" It is said that the first is Israel, and the latter is the Gentile.

And Jesus is speaking of Israel in the parable of the vineyard. The parable is to say, "The Israelites killed all the prophets, even the Son of God." In other words, Israel fails and the Gentiles take up the vineyard. And Jesus explains the kingdom of heaven as a marriage feast for his son. It is a story about expelling someone who does not wear a robe. Those who do not wear robes mean Israel. There is also a parable of the talent. A servant buried with money means Israel, an unprofitable servant.

Whenever Jesus speaks of Israel, he speaks in parables. It means that Israel fails to hear the Gospel and the Gospel is first brought to the Gentiles. And later the gospel is preached to Israel. You must understand why Israel is doing this. The parable of the ten virgins is also a parable of Israel. The five foolish virgins are Israel, and Israel is bound by the law. That is, they did not recognize Jesus.

In the miracle of The five loaves, and the two fishes, The five breads is called Altos in Greek and Nehem in Hebrew. There is a gold dining table in front of the ark, with 12 breads on it. 12 breads symbolize God's Word. Exodus 25:30『And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway. 』 It places 12 breads, which also symbolize Israel. Jesus said in John 6:48, “I am that bread of life. 』 This bread is synonymous with loaves from the five loaves, and the two fishes. Five loaves, or five words, means the Pentateuch. That is to say the law. The five loaves that a child had mean the Pentateuch (law).

Fish is called Extus in Greek, meaning "Jesus Christ is my salvation." Fish represents Jonah's target. Jonah's sign indicates that Jesus Christ was resurrected three days after his death. The saying that there are two fish means Jesus' first coming and second coming.

Twelve baskets left after eating five loaves, and "Twelve baskets left" means that Israel (12 tribes) heard the word but did not know the truth. It means that when Jesus ascends and returns, Israel must eat the bread left in the basket. When God restores Israel, Israel realizes and eats bread. Those who ate first symbolize the Gentiles.

『Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. 』 (Matthew 5:18). The Pentateuch lasts until the Messiah's kingdom, and at that time, everyone is fulfilling the law. The apostle Paul said in Romans 3:31, "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. 』 The law exists until the fullness of the Gentiles is filled.

However, if the believer is in Jesus Christ, there is no need for the law. Because Jesus Christ is above the law, those who are in Jesus Christ do not need the law. The law is a milestone to meet Jesus Christ, but those who have met Jesus Christ do not need milestones.

In Galatians 3:24,『Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.』 The law must exist to the kingdom of the Messiah, except for those who are in Jesus, because Jesus died of the law, and Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. Those who are united with Jesus are recognized by God for what Jesus has accomplished.