Spring 1998
A Greater Spiritual Depth
Wade E Taylor

"And a great multitude followed Him, because they
saw His miracles which He did on them that were
diseased" John 6:2.

"And when it was evening, His disciples came to him,
saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now
past; send the multitude away, that they may go into
the villages, and buy themselves victuals"

"But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give
ye them to eat" Matt 14:15-16.

Philip would have sent these to the fast-food restaurant in the next village. Andrew remarked about a lad who had some food, but only had "five loaves and two fishes."

Jesus had told the disciples to feed all who were hungry. Immediately, these disciples began to express the reasons why they were unable to do so, saying that they did not have adequate resources. It is very important that we recognize that Jesus already knew that they did not have the means to feed this multitude.

"And this He said to prove him: for He Himself knew
what He would do" John 6:6.

The Lord often asks us to go beyond our present ability. Our usual response is to express our limitations. But all that Jesus expects is for us to place our limited ability in His hand, so He can multiply it.

Therefore, concerning these five loaves and two fishes, Jesus said,

"Bring them hither to Me" Matt 14:18.

Once the limited resources of the disciples were placed in His hands, Jesus multiplied them, and the multitude was fed to the full. Later, Jesus asked, "Do you remember the numbers?" They repeated back, "five loaves, two fishes, and there were twelve basket-fulls left over." These numbers reveal a principle that will come into operation in the last days.

The "lad" speaks of our utter helplessness in the face of the coming tribulation during the closing out of this age. The "five loaves" speak of the protective "grace and wisdom" that the Lord will give. The "two fishes" reveal the principle of obedience; for we cannot obey unless there is an alternative. Through grace and obedience, His glory will be revealed.

This was perhaps the best meal this multitude had ever eaten. But several hours later, they were back asking for a repeat performance. Jesus refused and brought a word of correction. He told them to seek their satisfaction on an higher level. Then Jesus offered His very life for them to partake of.

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If
any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and
the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will
give for the life of the world" John 6:51.

They had gladly received the miracle of multiplication on the lower level of experience, but rejected the higher realm of identification with Him.

"The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying,
How can this man give us His flesh to eat?" John 6:51-52.

If we are perceptive, we will discover that this spiritual principle is in operation in our lives at this present time. Whenever the Lord moves on us in any measure of provision or healing, it is His intention to take us further, into a higher realm of identification with Him.

Jesus was unable to explain the means He would later provide, by which they could indeed partake of His flesh and blood. This was because He had not yet come to Gethsemane, where He would drink the cup of our sin in preparation for His sacrifice on Calvary's cross. For, in resurrection, He would become "quickening, life giving Spirit," the very source of eternal life, of which we are to partake.

Jesus was looking forward to the time when He would stand at the door of our heart, knocking, in order to gain entrance that He might sup with us, and we in turn with Him, in which we partake of His very life and blood.

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear
my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and
will sup with him, and he with me" Rev 3:20.

When He fed the multitude on the lower level, they sought to take Him by force to make Him their King. But on the higher level, they rejected Him. Therefore, Jesus stands alone at the door, speaking to whomever will respond - "if anyone."

Today, all to many Christians are satisfied to remain in the first area of spiritual blessing and provision, and are not seeking to enter into a personal relationship with the Lord, in which His very life is to partaken of.

There is a depth in spiritual revelation and understanding into which the Lord desires to bring us, which involves a partaking of his very life. This will bring us into an identity with Him in the fellowship of His sufferings," which refers to His (and our) being rejected and misunderstood, but leads to a depth of satisfaction and fulfillment that only those who partake can understand.

"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable
unto His death" Phil 3:10.

In this last hour, the Lord is yet seeking a people who are willing to go beyond the surface blessings.

Pinecrest is called to be a place in which the Lord is fully accepted in all that He offers, and in whatever way He may seek to move in our midst. The very heart and ministry of Pinecrest is centered in preparing those who desire to go beyond the loaves and fishes, and who understand and accept this deeper offering of His very flesh and blood.

In 1974, there was a visitation of the Lord at Pinecrest. During this time, the presence of the Lord became very manifest. The enrollment went from eighty to about one hundred and eighty. The guest rooms were filled. But when the time of visitation came to an end, the enrollment in the Bible school returned to eighty, and the guest rooms were empty.

There are many who will respond when the blessings are flowing, but when it comes time to "eat His flesh" they say, "this is a hard saying, who can hear it?" and they disappear.

The Lord is speaking of our partaking of the foundational characteristic of His life, that of giving His life for another. Many will receive the blessings that He offers, but few will identify with His sufferings.

When first saved, we become excited about the gifts of the Holy Spirit and our being blessed. As we continue to respond to the inner workings of the Holy Spirit, He will bring us to Jesus, who will begin to offer His very life to us, that we might partake with Him in intimate fellowship.

The purpose of this revelation of Jesus to us as a person is to bring us into the experience of personally knowing Him, that we might be able to identify with Him in the giving His life to others.

This will lead us into a place of identification with Him in the fellowship of His sufferings. Here, in intimate deep communion with Jesus, we will come to know Him as a person and begin to partake of an intercessorary identification with Him.

Pinecrest is called and set apart to prepare a people for our Lord's purposes in the last days, who intimately know Him and have partaken of His very life. These will become members of the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which all creation is groaning to see in manifestation.

If you have a hunger and desire to go further; to more fully know and serve our Lord, Pinecrest may be the place for you.

Prayerfully consider coming apart for a time of serious preparation to better know and serve our Lord. There is room and a warm welcome awaiting you at Pinecrest.