Tag: Cowboy Church

Jesus Blesses a Meager Lunch and With it Feeds Thousands

Jesus hardly sat down ‘til He looked up and saw a huge herd of folks a-comin’ for more teachin’. He tested His pardner Philip by askin’ him, “Where do you reckon we’ll buy bread to feed all these people who are a-comin’?” . . . ol’ Andrew, Peter’s brother, he spoke up, “All we got is this little cowboy here that’s got five biscuits and a couple of little perch packed for his lunch . . . Jesus gave thanks for the biscuits and they started passin’ them around. Then He did the same with the fish ‘til every single one had plenty–John 6:5-11 (The Gospel of John Cowboy Style).

 

“What a miracle, when Jesus took that young lad’s lunch that consisted of a handful of biscuits and a couple of small fish and with His blessings fed thousands. By this miracle we can know the way it is when Jesus blesses something. He can take that which is small and make it big. He can take the offering of our service and use it to the grater good for His Kingdom. Never underestimate what God can do with what little we hand to Him in faith.” Searching Heart and Scripture, page 49.

“There’s plenty of room on My Father’s spread; if it weren’t so I would tell ya. I’m goin’ there to get a place ready and fttin’ for every single one of y’all”–John 14:2 (The Gospel of John Cowboy Style).

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When Jesus told His disciples He would be going to His Father’s House to prepare a place for them, He was relating a beautiful analogy of the Jewish wedding ceremony. After the betrothal, or a marriage covenant had been established between bride and groom, the bridegroom would return to his father’s house. For about 12 months he would be absent from his betrothed bride, during which time he would prepare/build living accommodations for her in his father’s house. After the addition had been complected and according to the time set by his father (a time unknown to the bride and groom, a time known only  to the father), he would return to his bride for the wedding ceremony, and then fetch her home to his father’s house.

This is the promise Jesus is making on the night of His betrayal to His disciples in the upper room and to the Church, the Bride of Christ: That He indeed would return to His Father’s House (heaven) where a place would be prepared for us–“In My Father’s House are many dwelling places” (John 14:2).  And at the appointed hour, a time known only to the Father He will come again and receive us to our heavenly home, “that where He is, we may be also” (John 14:3).

Steps in a Jewish Wedding

1. The Betrothal – The establishment of the marriage covenant.
2. Bridal Chamber Prepared – The son returns to his father’s house and prepares the bridal chamber.
3. Bride Fetched – At a time determined by the father (Matthew 24:36), the groom fetches the bride to bring her to his father’s house.