5/9/21

"One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?" (John 6:8-9)
We find that Jesus has crossed the sea of Galilee, and has ascended one of the coastal mountains. Upon locating Jesus, a multitude of people have come to him.
Nothing ever takes Jesus by surprise! He knew exactly what he was doing, and what He was going to do!
He asked the Philip, "...Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?" (John 6:5)
In panicked voice, Philip answers, "...Two hundred pennyworth is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little." (v. 7) In other words, Philip was saying, "If we worked for months, we could not feed this many people!"
The scripture says that Jesus already had a plan! "And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do." (v. 6)
We can always depend upon Jesus! He is never unprepared to take care of us. We must be willing to trust Him for what we need every day.
Jesus knew that there was a little boy, present, with a little lunch. Andrew had seen him, as well. The difference is this, Andrew had just seen the little boy, but Jesus saw him from the beginning of time! That gives us an idea of how far ahead that Jesus can see things.
In Matthew 14:18, where we read this story as well, the scripture records Jesus saying, "Bring them hither to me."
I can visualize Philip approaching this young boy, and bringing him and his lunch to Jesus. I see the little boy, after learning that Jesus needed his lunch, freely offering it to Him. I see this little boy smiling, apologetically, because he has so little to give to Jesus. I see Jesus saying, "Thank you", as He accepts the small lunch from him.
Sometimes, we think like this little boy, and like Philip, by saying, "...but what are they among so many?" (v. 9) As a great hymn states, "Little is much when God is in it!"
The little boy gave to Jesus what he had, and stepped back. What he saw happen is beyond description! The Bible says, "And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that sat down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would." (John 6:11)
I have tried to imagine how this must have happened, but there is no explanation, none whatsoever! Christ fed a multitude on two small fish, and five 'hush puppies'!
After every one was full, they picked up twelve baskets full of leftovers! (v. 13)
We may feel like we have very little to offer unto God, but give it any way! Just look at what He did with five loaves of bread, and two small fish!
Happy Mother's Day!
From my heart to your heart.