HOW MANY LOAVES HAVE YE?

In the middle of hopelessness and a state of dilemma, Jesus asked a very intriguing question, "How many loaves have ye?"         

It is very unlikely to fathom with the hope that any solution could be offered when found in the situation as recorded in Mark 8:1-10. There was hunger, weakness, despair, hopelessness, scarcity and death in view. 

The disciples' response was indeed nothing different from mine or yours except we are schooled and able to comprehend what Jesus did to arrest the situation.

To have a smooth sail and end well as a Christian on earth, it is important to understand the know-how and steps required to tackle many issues that bedevil us. 

As far as the present world is concerned, problems abound. Ranging from health, finance, marriage, family, business, spiritual, and otherwise, every man is encumbered daily with pockets of troubles. 

However, these problems are not designed to mar us, rather, they help in shaping our lives for the greater glory. 

Romans 5:3-5, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4, And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5, And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us". 

The challenge of feeding the multitude in Mark 8:1-10 was nothing different from the challenges we face today as human beings. Many people have come to the state of hopelessness, despair, despondency, sorrow, weakness, discouragement, sickness, and death by the reason of many challenges confronting them.. But, I have good news for somebody today, with Jesus on the scene, the problem would be addressed and the solution would be proffered by applying the knowledge of God.

Matthew 19:26, "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible".

The disciples looked at the situation at hand, they could not find any solutions and they became apprehensive. Hunger, lack and scarcity stood as a big challenge before them, but with Jesus, there is a mystery of abundance and an overflow. 

Jesus said to the disciples, how many loaves have ye? But, what does this statement mean? Well, looking at this statement critically while studying Jesus on this account. It was revealed and discovered that;

1. This is a statement of courage (bravery, fearlessness, boldness)

Courage is an instrument required first to face any battle in life. No matter how weak a battle may appear, if you lose courage in the first instance, you have lost. Therefore, it is so important to face any challenge with courage, bravery, fearlessness and boldness. 

Moses spoke to the people 

Deuteronomy 31:6-7, "Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 

7, And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of good courage: for thou must go with this person unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it". 

May you receive the courage that is required to take and possess your inheritance today in the name of Jesus.

2. This is a statement showing optimism (positivity)

It is required of us as Christians to understand the power of optimism. Even when all the odds are against us, every instruction in the word of God pointed out that we must always be optimistic because with God all things are possible. 

In Numbers 13:25-33, the elders of Israel were sent to spy on the land of Canaan before they go to possess it. On getting to the land, having seen how giant the people of the land were, they became pessimistic and declared themselves as grasshopper compared to the people of the land. But Joshua and Caleb refused to agree with the elders and were very optimistic regardless of what they saw. 

However, in Numbers 14:10-38, the Lord looked down from heaven and was very angry with the elders for their pessimism. He made a declaration and the elders were denied access to the Promised Land, but Joshua and Caleb were applauded and granted access to the promised land because they were optimistic.

Another instance was found in Luke 23:39-43, on the day Jesus was crucified, two malefactors were nailed on the cross together with Him. One on His right-hand side and the other on His left-hand side. One was pessimistic and the other was optimistic. The pessimist has lost hope and already condemned himself just as he has been judged. He couldn't think anything positive about himself any longer, he decided to start mocking Jesus even when he knew Jesus was being punished for the sin He never committed. But, the optimist looked at himself in his rejected state, he rebuked his friend and refused to give up on himself. He, therefore, turned to Jesus and said Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. And Jesus replied to him instantly, Verily I say unto you, Today you shalt be with me in paradise.

I encourage you today, please don't be a pessimist, be optimistic, in every situation, be positive and never say never.

In the darkest hour of your life, may you receive help from above in the name of Jesus.

3. This is a statement of Faith

Everything I have discussed so far is the attributes of faith without which no man can please God (Hebrew 11:6) Every man of faith is always a man of courage. They are always bold and fearless. They are men with a positive mindset. They are men of possibilities and there are no impossibilities in their dictionary. 

In Daniel 3:1-28, faith in God was demonstrated by the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego. Amid the storm, they were so courageous, brave, bold, fearless and optimistic. The challenge indeed threatened their existence but their faith in God saw them through. They became victorious and the name of God was glorified in that situation. 

In 1 Samuel 17, David demonstrated his faith in God both with his action and the declaration from his mouth when he battled with Goliath. He did not allow the stature of Goliath to intimidate him, neither did he look at himself as a man of little stature. He was an optimist and so positive about himself. Furthermore, studying his words when he was talking to Goliath, he only declared his faith in the power of God. How I wish we can all learn to talk like this when facing a challenge.

1Samuel 17:45-47, "Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 

46, This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 

47, And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands. 

I encourage you to stop talking fear, learn to speak faith in all situations because our God can do all things. May your faith never go on holiday when you most need it in the name of Jesus.

4. Thankfulness 

Now, here comes the mystery of abundance and overflow. All we saw that Jesus did to command the abundance was to give thanks to God. Mark 8:6, "And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them, and they did set them before the people".

Faith, comprising courage and optimism as discussed above are all ingredients needed to support thanksgiving that command the mystery of abundance in our lives. Psalm 67:5, "Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. 

6, Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us". 

I may not know how to explain this to you, it is a mystery of God. But I have a witness in my heart that the Holy Spirit will reveal it to you. 

Now, what do you do when you come to a crossroads in your life, just locate a corner whether in your house, in your place of work, in your business place, or wherever you may find yourself and begin to thank God irrespective of how difficult the situation may seem. Trust me, this may not be very easy to do but do it anyway. It is a mystery, you don't need to know how God is going to do it, but you can command your expectations and your needs to realisation all by thanking Him in the face of the challenge.

Now, when Jesus asked how many loaves have ye, He was simply saying; 

How much of courage, bravery, boldness and fearlessness do you have?

How much of optimism or positivity do you have?

How much of faith in God do you have?

Finally, how much of thanks could you give to God? 

Conclusion

The little courage, hope, optimism, faith, boldness, and thankfulness you possessed in times of trials is all you need to have all your necessities delivered and your great expectations met by God.