John 6:5 - Turn to Jesus.
John 6:5 (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?"
COMMENTARY PEARL
In an event crafted to speak to the
anxious heart, Jesus told his disciples to do the
impossible: feed five thousand people. But the disciples
could see only the impossibility. Did it occur to
any of them to ask Jesus for help?
The stunning answer is no! Rather than
count on Christ, they had the audacity to tell the
Creator of the world that nothing could be done
because there wasn't enough money.
Finally a boy offered his lunch basket to
Andrew, who tentatively mentioned the offer to
Jesus. You know the rest of the story. The day
ended with twelve baskets of leftovers.
You aren't facing five thousand hungry
bellies, but you are facing a deadline in two days, a
child who is being bullied at school, a spouse
intertwined in temptation. On one hand you have a
problem. On the other you have a limited quantity of
wisdom, energy, patience, or time. This time,
instead of starting with what you have, start with
Jesus. Before you lash out in fear, look up in
faith. Take a moment. Turn to him for help. [You
Can Count On God by Max Lucado]
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]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
John 6:5, 6 - God Wants Whatever Youve Got.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210104-0930.html
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
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
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
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
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
