John 6:5, 6 - God Wants Whatever Youve Got.
John 6:5, 6 (NIV) When Jesus looked up and
saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to
Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people
to eat?" 6 He asked this only to test him, for
he already had in mind what he was going to
do.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Do you remember the story of Jesus
feeding 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread
and two fish? I think its amazing that, out
of 5,000 people, only one person brought a
lunch. Im thinking a lot of people were hiding
picnic baskets under their robes because they
didnt want to share with anybody else.
But one little boy offered the bread and
fish he packed for his lunch. He gave Jesus what
little he had, and God used it not to just feed a
lot of people but also to show them how much he
cares and how powerful he is.
God always starts with what you have. You
may not have much time. Your finances may not be
worth much. You may not think you have much
talent.
But you can give God everything in your
life. Give him your heart. Give him your
reputation. Give him your past, present, and future. It
may not be much, but you can give him your five
loaves and two fish.
In John 6:5-6 Jesus asks, Where
shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He
asked this only to test him, for he already had in
mind what he was going to do (NIV).
Jesus wasnt worried about how to feed
5,000 people. He already had in mind what he was
going to do. He saw the need long before the
disciples did. And he had a plan.
You need to understand this truth today:
God always has the answer before you even know
the problem. God is not worried your unsolvable
problem. Its not too late in the day for Jesus. He
saw your problem long before you did. He knew it
was coming, and he already had a plan for it.
God knows the solution to your problem before
you even recognize its a problem.
So why are you worrying? Just admit you
have an unsolvable problem, and then give God
everything you have. Watch him take your loaves and
fish and turn them into a feast. [Daily
Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
In feeding the five thousand, Jesus lifts
the veil from the world of nature, and reveals
the power that is constantly exercised for our
good. In the production of earth's harvests God is
working a miracle every day. Through natural
agencies the same work is accomplished that was
wrought in the feeding of the multitude. Men prepare
the soil and sow the seed, but it is the life
from God that causes the seed to germinate. It is
God's rain and air and sunshine that cause it to
put forth, "first the blade, then the ear, after
that the full corn in the ear." Mark 4:28. It is
God who is every day feeding millions from
earth's harvest fields. Men are called upon to
co-operate with God in the care of the grain and the
preparation of the loaf, and because of this they lose
sight of the divine agency. They do not give God
the glory due unto His holy name. The working of
His power is ascribed to natural causes or to
human instrumentality. Man is glorified in place
of God, and His gracious gifts are perverted to
selfish uses, and made a curse instead of a
blessing. God is seeking to change all this. He
desires that our dull senses shall be quickened to
discern His merciful kindness and to glorify Him for
the working of His power. He desires us to
recognize Him in His gifts, that they may be, as He
intended, a blessing to us. It was to accomplish this
purpose that the miracles of Christ were
performed.
And when we are brought into strait
places, we are to depend on God. We are to exercise
wisdom and judgment in every action of life, that
we may not, by reckless movements, place
ourselves in trial. We are not to plunge into
difficulties, neglecting the means God has provided, and
misusing the faculties He has given us. Christ's
workers are to obey His instructions implicitly. The
work is God's, and if we would bless others His
plans must be followed. Self cannot be made a
center; self can receive no honor. If we plan
according to our own ideas, the Lord will leave us to
our own mistakes. But when, after following His
directions, we are brought into strait places, He will
deliver us. We are not to give up in discouragement,
but in every emergency we are to seek help from
Him who has infinite resources at His command.
Often we shall be surrounded with trying
circumstances, and then, in the fullest confidence, we must
depend upon God. He will keep every soul that is
brought into perplexity through trying to keep the
way of the Lord.
The disciples were the channel of
communication between Christ and the people. This should
be a great encouragement to His disciples
today. Christ is the great center, the source of
all strength. His disciples are to receive their
supplies from Him. The most intelligent, the most
spiritually minded, can bestow only as they receive. Of
themselves they can supply nothing for the needs of the
soul. We can impart only that which we receive
from Christ; and we can receive only as we impart
to others. As we continue imparting, we
continue to receive; and the more we impart, the more
we shall receive. Thus we may be constantly
believing, trusting, receiving, and imparting.
[DA367-370]
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The crowd followed Jesus around the Sea
of Galilee. The fifteen thousand people (five
thousand men plus women and children) were hungry.
Philip and Andrew counted the hungry people, they
counted the money in their bag, and they counted the
amount of fish and bread.
They did not, however, count on Christ.
And he was standing right there! Yet the idea of
soliciting his help did not dawn on them. Even so,
Jesus went right to work. Jesus took the
loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed
them to those who were seated, and as much fish
as they were wanting, too (John 6:11). The
impossible task of feeding all these people
became the unforgettable miracle of all these
people fed.
What we cannot do, Christ does! The
problems we face are opportunities for Christ to
prove this point. Remember, friends, You are never
alone. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at
maxlucado.com]
Do you face fifteen thousand problems?
Before you count yourself out, turn and look at the
One standing next to you! Christ can help you
do the impossible. You simply need to give him
what you have and watch him work.
John 6:11 says, Jesus took the
loaves This is the story of the day Jesus fed the
five thousand men, plus women and children. He
didnt have to use the loaves. He made manna fall
for the Israelites. Instead, he chose to use
the single basket of a small boy.
Whats in your basket? All you have is
a wimpy prayer? Give it. All you have is a
meager skill? Use it. All you have is strength
for one step? Take it. God used three nails
and a crude cross to redeem humanity. If God
can turn a basket into a buffet, dont you
think he can do something with your five loaves
and two fishes of faith? Remember, you are
never alone. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at
maxlucado.com]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
John 6:11 - How To Feed The Multitudes.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2010/20100513-1010.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
