The Lord makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He restores my soul.
Psalm 23:2
Afterward Jesus appeared again to His disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So, they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing (John 21:1-3).
The meaning of Tiberias is – pertaining to the river. And there is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells (Psalm 46:4). The River of the Water of Life flows as clear as crystal from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the Tree of Life bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations (Revelation 22:1-3).
And this is what the Lord says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you what is best for you, Who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to My instructions, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea,” Isaiah 48:17-18.
Yes, great peace have they who love God’s Word, nothing can make them stumble (Psalm 119:165). For then, they have knowledge of God. They know the Truth, for the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification (understanding, enlightenment, awareness…). Because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men (Romans 14:17-19).
There was a time when Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Tiberias, and a great crowd of people had followed Him. Jesus asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” Philip answered Him, “Eight months’ wages would never be enough.” Andrew spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will that go among so many?”
Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. After the people had enough to eat, the disciples did as Jesus instructed and gathered the leftovers. They filled twelve baskets with barley bread (John 6:3-13). The number twelve has this meaning: Governing authority.
And all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18). Yes, God exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name. So it will be, at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess and acknowledge, Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11 AMP).
God blesses His people so we can feast on the abundance of His house (Psalm 36:8a). He has given us the privilege to partake of true Living Bread. Jesus is the Bread of Life Who came down out of heaven. Anyone who eats this Bread will live – and live forever! (John 6:47-51 Message).
The people saw the miraculous sign Jesus did with that barley bread, and they intended to come and make Him King by force, so He withdrew. When Jesus had not returned by evening His disciples set off for Capernaum. A strong wind began to blow, and the waters grew rough.
They rowed three miles, and there approaching the boat they saw Jesus walking on the water, they were terrified. But He said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” Then, they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading (John 6:14-21).
They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper! The waves of the sea were hushed! They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. Let us learn as did His disciples to give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love, and His wonderful deeds for men. Whoever is wise, let them heed these things, and consider the great love of the Lord (Psalm 107:28-31,43).
Now let the meaning of the number three give its testimony regarding the Lord, the Bread of Life: In the Bible three represents completeness, wholeness, resurrection, and harmony.
Though the mountains should depart, and the hills be shaken or removed, yet the Lord’s love and kindness shall not depart from us, nor shall His covenant of peace and completeness be removed, for the Lord has compassion on us (Isaiah 54:10 AMP).
God gave us the gift of His Son. He’ll take over the running of the world. His names will be: Amazing Counselor, Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Wholeness. His ruling authority will grow, and there’ll be no limits to the wholeness He brings (Isaiah 9:6-7 Message).
His disciples came to know and believe: Jesus is Resurrection and Life (John 11:25 Goodspeed). So, they dedicated their lives to sharing God’s Word: Our citizenship is in heaven! And we eagerly await our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who by the Power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body (Philippians 3:19-21).
Jesus Himself is our peace, our bond of unity and harmony. Paul wrote: I have given up everything else – I have found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty Power that brought Him back to life again, and find out what it means to suffer and to die with Him (Philippians 3:10 TLB).
God’s Word says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” John 16:33. “I will extend peace to My people like a river, and the wealth of the nations like a flooding stream. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.”
“When you see this, your heart will rejoice, and you will flourish like grass. The hand of the Lord will be made known to His servant, but His fury will be shown to His foes. See, the Lord is coming with fire, and His chariots are like a whirlwind. He will bring down His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with His sword the Lord will execute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the Lord (Isaiah 66:12-16).
It was not by their sword they won the land,
Nor did their arm bring them victory!
It was the Lord’s right hand, His arm,
And the light of His face,
For He loves us!
He is our King and our God,
Who decrees victories for His people!
Psalm 44:3-4