Crooked Pines Ministries 
A Treasure So Fine!
By: Mary E. Woodis
November 24, 2002
Matt. 14:14-21; Mark 6:34-46;
Luke 9:12-17; John 6:1-15
John 6:8-9, "One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, 'There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?'"
Undoubtedly the most precious treasure that has ever graced this world is our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. His birth was a gift from a loving Father of unmatched grace and mercy. What cost Him so much came in such a humble package and is free for the asking. Today I would like to bring to your attention another humble offering that changed many lives. Our background Scripture this month tells us about the boy who surrendered his lunch to the disciple so that the crowd could eat. Jesus said that they must eat before they left or some of them would faint on the way home. This little boy gave all he had - five loaves and two fishes - a lunch packed to satisfy his needs. Jesus came as a gift packaged to satisfy our need, a payment to satisfy the debt created by our sins. A debt that sinful man could never hope to pay.
They are like sheep without a shepherd...
Jesus and His disciples had withdrawn to a desert place for rest. The crowd, knowing His habits, had anticipated Him and beat them to the spot. The crowd was like sheep without a shepherd. They were running to and fro seeking but never finding, they had ears but could not hear, eyes but could not see. (Mark 8:18).
Jesus was moved with compassion...
When Jesus arrived He was moved with compassion for the crowd and He began to heal and teach this flock.
Because I wanted to really understand what Jesus felt I looked up the definition for compassion in the Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. I believe you will better understand this passionate emotion that Jesus felt when you read this:
COMPASSION, n.
1. A suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow; at least some portion of love generally attends the pain or regret, or is excited by it.
Your Sight Must Come from Him!
What He did next really perplexed the disciples. They saw Him feed a crowd twice from very little food, with leftovers, and they still couldn’t get their minds around this parable. So, in Mark 8:22-26, Jesus shows them how their eyes can be opened by healing a blind man. Don’t you love Jesus? He is so literal! You are blind to my truth so “I” must heal your sight!
A Boy's Point of View
Let’s take a look inside of the life of this boy and look at this parable from a different perspective. There is a special lesson and blessing couched in this event and I don’t want us to miss it. This little boy presented “A Treasure So Fine!“ in such a humble package.
Being a Hiker-chick I completely understand how dear your lunch can be to you. This little boy had hiked from the city out to the wilderness just to hear Jesus. This was no leisurely hike. The crowd “ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto Him.” Mark 6:33
Hiking burns calories like crazy, especially when you are carrying something. Five loaves and two fish may not sound very heavy, but you can ask any backpacker, when the miles start to add up, every ounce counts.
Let's Get Into the Story
Now imagine this: you ran all this way, arrived in time to see Jesus disembark from the boat and learned wondrous, eternal things. But now it’s getting late, your tummy is beginning to rumble and that lunch is looking so good! As you glance around you it occurs to you that no one else is eating. There is a stirring in the crowd and you notice a murmured conversation between Jesus and His disciples. The last part you catch, Jesus said to the disciples, “You give them something to eat.” (Mark 6:37 NASB)
Your stomach clenches as you realize that you are the only one present with any food. Your lunch has suddenly become an immense treasure. But it is only 5 barley loaves and 2 fish! This will never be enough!
Now the Master’s disciples are searching through the crowd. The thought races through your mind, should you offer your meager lunch? Before you reach a decision the disciple Andrew is before you and pulling you forward with him. As your trembling knees carry you along you realize that you are about to give your all to the Master and it feels so right!
Your hungry stomach is forgotten as your eyes find the face of Jesus. There’s just something about those eyes. There is so much love, tenderness, compassion and holiness in those eyes! Suddenly your lunch seems like an incredible feast in the hands of the Master.
As you are seated in your group of fifty, Jesus raises those beautiful eyes to heaven and blesses your treasure, then He begins to break off pieces for the disciples to pass around to the thousands seated on the green grass. The wondrous healings that you have witnessed that day are as nothing as you watch Jesus continue to break the bread and the fish and it never is completely gone. Your one treasure is sufficient in the hands of the Master, oh glory to God! Your simple lunch of five loaves and two fishes has become dinner for the thousands and twelve baskets full besides. The wonder of it all!
J. Huntley Skrine described the calling of a father, mother, teacher as a shepherd in his book “Pastor Agnorum: A Schoolmaster’s Afterthought”. He said that in this shepherd’s calling we are to nourish, rule and lead and we must learn our method by the study of the Incarnation. According to this learned man, parents are the best shepherds for children.
Parents, shepherds, we are given a treasure also, our children. Daily we must give this treasure to our Dear Lord. Daily we must shepherd these children toward a time and place where they too can have a moment with the Master. He is looking for a way to feed the multitude and He already knows the tools He needs. What untold thousands are waiting for their moment in time when your treasure will be the tool in the Master’s hands? This is the Master who feeds them and meets their needs.
A.W. Tozer said, “The man who has God for his treasure has all things in One. Many ordinary treasures may be denied him, or if he is allowed to have them, the enjoyment of them will be so tempered that they will never be necessary to his happiness. Or if he must see them go, one after one, he will scarcely feel a sense of loss, for having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight.” Page 17 of “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer. Compiled by Edythe Draper. Copyright 1995 by: Christian Publications, Inc.
Now Let's Bring it Home
Lest you are sitting there doubting your ability to let go of your treasure or whether your treasure is sufficient to fill the need, don’t worry! God will take our minor efforts and our insufficient means and make the most wondrous things happen. Remember how He multiplied the loaves and fishes, twice! All you have to do is give Him your loaves and fishes and watch Him work. It is amazing how your wants, needs, desires and goals will change when you submit your will to our Dear Lord and let Him be in control. Won't you trust Him with your treasure. The masses are so hungry!
As we approach the Advent Season and Christmas I challenge you to look to your treasures and dedicate them anew to our Dear Lord. All the while remembering how He dedicated His own Treasure over 2000 years ago so that we can be fed and nurtured for all of eternity! His gift came in a humble package but it cost Him so much!
Merry Christmas to you all!
With love,
Mary E. Woodis and
The Woodis Bunch
This article is copyrighted by Mary E. Woodis. If you would like to print this article in whole or part in your publication please contact Jessie and Mary Woodis at jessiew@hiwaay.net for permission and more details.
Page last updated February 2003
