Mk 7:27, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.”
These were Jesus’words to a Cananite woman; a heathen; who is begin Him to cast the demon which has been tormenting her daughter out. In general, bread alludes to the Word of GOD (Mat 4:4, Jn 6); but in this context, the woman specifically asked for a miracle. Therefore, miracles are what Jesus refers to as the children’s bread. It is children, spiritual babies, who run after miracles and who can thence, be easily deceived (Mat. 24:24). Adults eat a different kind of bread; they eat solid food which is the word of righteousness (1Cor 3:2, Heb 5:12-14). Miracles are never enough to ne sont jamais assez root faith. In fact, Jesus had just multiplied the bread and the fish when the Pharisees asked for a sign from heaven – I don’t know where they thought the multiplication of bread came from! Later on, in front of the Cross, they said, mockingly that if “He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him” (Mk 8:11, Mat 27:42). It was as though Jesus had never performed any miracle.
If miracles are the main reason why you go to church, then irrespective of what your title or position in church is, you are still but a child…
When Jesus left, his last words were: “Make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” He did not say: “Convert them with miracles”; but “Win the world through education. Change its way of thinking; renew its mentality and mind through the teaching of my Word / prescriptions.”
I don’t want to give a percentage, but miracles do not weigh much when faith is concerned. Mark 8:14-21, shows how the fact that the disciples witnessed the multiplication of the bread and fish directly did not help them to believe. In fact, Jesus even had to ask: “Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?”
Two days ago, I was in a prayer meeting; and a sister reminded us that when we read in John 14:12 that “Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father”, we usually think of healing and resurrection miracles immediately. However, she said that Jesus spent most of his time not doing miracles, but loving people and showing compassion; and thus, we owed to do more. And she is right. I actually wrote an article on compassion as a tool for miracles some time ago. I would like to add to what she said that the other thing that Jesus did the most was sharing the word of GOD either through teaching or preaching. And, in this area as well, we must do more than He did. This is why Paul instructed Timothy to preach the Word in season and (even when it seems to be) out of season. Let’s be generous with the Word of GOD. And since we can only give what we have, let’s start by changing our diet. Let’s leave the bread of children for solid food. Let’s leave the bread of children for the Word of righteousness.
“Heaven and earth [and all manner of miracles] will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Mat 24:35
Have a great week in HIM!
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