Proverbs 8-9
2 Corinthians 3
“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming towards Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’” John 6:5
What would we do if we were asked to feed a crowd of more than 5,000 people? This was the question that Jesus asked Philip when a great crowd was following Jesus, because of the signs that He performed. As it was getting late, Jesus asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:5).
Philip answered, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7). Philip did the math, and his response gave the impression, “This is overwhelming. This is impossible.” Oftentimes, when we look around the world, our nation, our city and see the needs, it can feel overwhelming to us. We feel the tension of the needs of the many, but when we look at the resources in our hand, it seems like an impossible task.
Seeing what was happening, Andrew spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9). If half a year’s wage does not make a dent into feeding the crowd, how far could this little boy’s lunch go? What we see in the disciples is that they had their eyes fixated on the resources in front of them. Although Philip and Andrew were professing believers, they were practical atheists because an atheist would give Jesus the same answer. In calculating the cost, the disciples left Jesus out of their equation as they were trying to solve the issue on their own.
Jesus instructed the disciples to have the crowd sit down, and then He “took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish” (John 6:11). The first thing Jesus did was take the little boy’s lunch and look to heaven’s resources. Then, He entered into a ministry of thanksgiving and prayer. While the disciples were focused on what they could do, Jesus was focused on the Father. Jesus’s equation was five loaves and two fish multiplied by God divided by the crowd equals twelve baskets of leftovers.
What do we do when God calls us to do something that is way beyond our resources and abilities and we know apart from a miracle that it will not even be remotely possible? Are we obedient to His leading and His calling or are we distracted, discouraged, struggling with disbelief on how it will happen? Where Philip and Andrew thought it was impossible, the equation changed because of God.
Precious God, Your power is beyond what I could think or imagine. I ask that You help me to be obedient to what You are calling me to do and know that You are part of the equation. Thank You, Lord.
2 Corinthians 3
“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming towards Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’” John 6:5
What would we do if we were asked to feed a crowd of more than 5,000 people? This was the question that Jesus asked Philip when a great crowd was following Jesus, because of the signs that He performed. As it was getting late, Jesus asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:5).
Philip answered, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7). Philip did the math, and his response gave the impression, “This is overwhelming. This is impossible.” Oftentimes, when we look around the world, our nation, our city and see the needs, it can feel overwhelming to us. We feel the tension of the needs of the many, but when we look at the resources in our hand, it seems like an impossible task.
Seeing what was happening, Andrew spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9). If half a year’s wage does not make a dent into feeding the crowd, how far could this little boy’s lunch go? What we see in the disciples is that they had their eyes fixated on the resources in front of them. Although Philip and Andrew were professing believers, they were practical atheists because an atheist would give Jesus the same answer. In calculating the cost, the disciples left Jesus out of their equation as they were trying to solve the issue on their own.
Jesus instructed the disciples to have the crowd sit down, and then He “took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish” (John 6:11). The first thing Jesus did was take the little boy’s lunch and look to heaven’s resources. Then, He entered into a ministry of thanksgiving and prayer. While the disciples were focused on what they could do, Jesus was focused on the Father. Jesus’s equation was five loaves and two fish multiplied by God divided by the crowd equals twelve baskets of leftovers.
What do we do when God calls us to do something that is way beyond our resources and abilities and we know apart from a miracle that it will not even be remotely possible? Are we obedient to His leading and His calling or are we distracted, discouraged, struggling with disbelief on how it will happen? Where Philip and Andrew thought it was impossible, the equation changed because of God.
Precious God, Your power is beyond what I could think or imagine. I ask that You help me to be obedient to what You are calling me to do and know that You are part of the equation. Thank You, Lord.
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