Who Is Jesus? Part 2Sample

Jesus, Moses, and Mathematics

This chapter contains two really big moments: the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus’ power over the forces of nature. Here, the similarities between Jesus and Moses resurface once again. He’s the new and better Moses.

And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people … The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:19, 21 NIV

In Jewish culture, numbers hold a lot of significance. The number five represents the Torah, which refers to the first five books of the Bible, all believed to be authored by Moses. And the number two often symbolizes the Law, because the Ten Commandments were given to Moses on two stone tablets. It gets better! Ready for some math? Five loaves + two fish = seven—the number of completion. In other words, Jesus is bringing the complete Torah and Law to the Jewish people. 

Remember what Jesus said back in chapter seven?

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12 NIV

By using His power to meet the needs of others, Jesus is showing us, not just telling us, what the entire Old Testament was trying to teach us. And in this miracle, Jesus is sending a message: He’s not just a better Moses. He is so much more than that. He is God, the Giver of the Law. You see, Moses took the law that God had given him and passed it on to the people of Israel, but in this story, Jesus isn’t just passing the law on, He is the one giving it. It is in this miraculous moment, Jesus reveals His identity as the Lord, our Lawgiver.

For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us. Isaiah 33:22 NIV

He would go on to become our King: His crowning moments were His crucifixion and resurrection. And through it all He saved us and has invited us to be part of the kingdom He launched on this earth. Are you ready to partner with the God who has rescued humanity and begun the restoration of creation?  

What’s next? Let’s continue to discover more of who Jesus is together! Start Who Is Jesus? Part 3 with your friends today. You can find it in the Switch Bible Plan collection at www.go2.lc/SwitchBiblePlans.