So when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward him, he asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so that these people can eat?” He asked this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.
John 6:5-6
Put On The Spot
Do you remember being in elementary school and having your teacher call on you? Suddenly, you would find yourself on the spot, knowing that some sort of test or trick question was coming your way! Then, after the question was asked, you would begin to think about how tough it is, because it’s a predicament without a human solution. You do the math in your head, but nothing adds up. It’s frustrating. You find yourself asking, “Is this a trick question?” Many of us have been there in that place.
To Build Up in The Faith
Philip was that star pupil put on the spot here in this Bible story. Jesus wasn’t trying to trick him; He was trying to build him up in the faith. Did Philip forget who Jesus was? Do you think he had little faith or great faith in what Jesus could do? He didn’t think Jesus could create an abundance out of what seemed to be nothing.
In the end, Jesus performed a miracle that could not be solved with human logic. We can’t forget that Jesus Himself is the Source. He is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. Regardless of our circumstances, He is able to do more than we can ever ask or imagine. Do we believe that? Or are we of little faith?
Not The Miracle, but The Maker
However, there should be a distinction point out here. The point is not for the people to be amazed at the miracle itself. Pastor Brandon at our Harpeth Heights campus asked, “Do you believe in Jesus because He gives you what sustains you? Or, do you believe in Jesus because He sustains you? Do you believe in Jesus because He gives you bread, or do you believe in Jesus because He is the Bread?”
Following Jesus doesn’t mean we’ll always have an abundance of bread. Jesus leaves at the end of the story and goes away to be alone. Immediately after this picture of sustenance, the disciples find themselves in the middle of a storm, Jesus having physically left them. We learn here that it is not always abundance—life does get tough. However, He will always give us what we need.
And most importantly, He gives us Himself, which is more than enough.
Now What?
Do you believe our mighty, powerful, wise, sovereign, almighty God is able? Where in your life do you have little faith? Confess that to Him. Begin to pray in anticipation and expectation for what God will and can do next. However, reflect on the importance of our heart posture being “Your will be done” because He may answer not based on what we think, but in greater ways that are harder to understand yet still worthy of our trust.
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