Christ The Power of God

"ALL ATE AND WERE SATISFIED"

Poverty is not new.  Jehovah told ancient Israel that there would never cease to be poor ones in the land.  (Deuteronomy 15:11)  Centuries later, Jesus acknowledged: "You always have the poor with you." (Matthew 26:11) Did Jesus mean that there would always be poor people on the earth?  No, he meant that there would be poor people as long as this corrupt system of things last.  Therefore, how heartening it is to understand that Jesus' miracles serve as portents of better times ahead under Kingdom rule when all will have plenty to eat and be satisfied!  

The psalmist said of Jehovah: "You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing." (Psalm 145:16)   Reflecting his Father, Christ, the power of God,' frequently opened his hand and satisfied  the desires of his followers.  His doing so was not merely an expression of power. He was guided by his heartfelt concern for others. Let us consider Matthew 14:14-21. (Read.)  Jesus' disciples came to him to discuss  the food situation. Not only may they themselves have been hungry but they were concerned about the plight of the famished and weary crowd that had followed Jesus on foot from the cities.  (Matthew 14:13) What would he do? 

With five loaves and two fish, Jesus fed about 5,000 men, as well as women and children!  Are we not touched to think of the way Jesus used his miraculous power to care compassionately for entire families, including the little ones? The crowds "ate and were satisfied." This suggests that there was an abundant supply of food.   Jesus kindly provided, not a mere taste of bread, but a mean that would sustain the crowds for their long journey back home.  (Luke 9:10-17)  and 12 baskets were  filled with leftovers!

Today the basic  needs of hundreds of millions of people go unmet because of  unjust human rule. Even some of our brothers, though having enough to subsist on, are not fully "satisfied."  However, the time is near for obedient mankind to enjoy  a world free of corruption and poverty.  If you had the power, would you not satisfy man's needs?  Almighty God does have both the power and the desire to do just that-and soon.  Yes, relief is in sight! -Read Psalm 72:16. 

When on earth, Jesus worked in a relatively small territory for a limited time of three and a half years.   (Matthew 15:24) As a  glorified King, his territory  will extend to the four corners  of the earth.  (Psalm 72:8) Jesus' miracles give us confidence in his ability  and his desire soon to use his authority for our good.  Though we cannot perform miracles, we can enthusiastically draw people's attention to God's inspired Word.  Bible prophecies guarantee better times ahead. As dedicated Witnesses of Jehovah who possess this precious knowledge about the future, do we not sense that we have a debt toward others?  (Romans 1:14, 15) May meditating on this move us to tell others the good news of  God's Kingdom. -Psalm 45:1; 49:3. 

Next time: Christ The Power of God - CONTROL OF EARTH'S NATURAL FORCES

From the Watchtower magazine