Read: John 6:1-15
Andrew was
standing nearby when Jesus tested Philip with His question about feeding the
crowd. Andrew, having no more faith than Philip, at least answered Jesus'
question by pointing out the meager lunch of a small boy. Jesus uses the kid's
meal to miraculously feed more than five thousand people, with each person
getting "as much as they wanted."
To further emphasize the abundance, we see Jesus directing the disciples
to collect the leftovers.
Hungry crowds
are not a new problem for God. When the children of Israel were in need of
bread in the wilderness, God sent it down like rain (Exodus 16). When Jesus was
fasting for forty days in the desert, Satan tempted Him to turn stones into
bread (Matthew 4:3). Jesus could have used anything to feed the hungry crowd
that day. His use of a boy's little lunch highlights an important aspect of how
Jesus works in and through His followers.
While
ministering in a small farm town in Texas, the church I attended decided to
prepare a thanksgiving dinner for the migrant workers who lived and worked in
the community. The church was made up of mostly lower-middle-class folks who,
like the migrant workers, struggled to make ends meet. No one knew for sure how
many migrant workers there were or how many would come to the dinner. The night
of the event came, exceeding everyone's expectations as scores of migrants
streamed into the small elementary school cafeteria. The tension in the kitchen
grew along with the line of immigrants, which soon stretched outside the
building. I'll never forget Diane Ballard serving mashed potatoes praying with
each scoop that the line would end before the potatoes did. At the end of the
night, there was one turkey leg left, and no one missed a serving of mashed
potatoes. Some might say the event was an example of effective planning. Anyone
who would say that was not in attendance that night. We all knew it was a
miracle. The sacrifice of church members was a witness to the entire town and
certainly to the migrants who worked there. But those whose faith were most
impacted were the people who knew that God had worked a miracle that night.
What was intended to be a ministry to others was a blessing to the church.
As I reflect
back on that little church, I understand that the poverty of God's people is
the best reflection of His generosity. God often provides what we need by the
very people He sends us to reach. Rather than seeing the boy with the lunch as another
mouth to feed, Jesus shows how his offering can be used to meet the needs of
the entire crowd. This does not detract from the miraculous work of Jesus but
is an example of how God may choose to provide through the faithful acts of
average people.
The person you
believe God is calling you to serve may be the very instrument God uses to
increase your faith and meet your needs. This is the reciprocal nature of the
salvation message. “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with
the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38).
What's in your
lunchbox?
Bread from Heaven,
Help me to see the needs of others as an invitation to behold Your glory.
I confess that the little I
possess is insufficient to meet the needs, but I surrender what I have for Your
purposes. Open my eyes to see the resources
You are making available
through the very people You have called me to serve.
Amen
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