As mentioned in my previous blog, "John 6 - Part 1," the Lord prompted me to study the familiar passage of Jesus "feeding the five thousand." It reminds me of the telling of a great memory or story that you experienced in your childhood. And different details of the story seem to come alive each time the great tale is told. I pray it be the same for you as you chew on the Truth of this text yet again...
John writes:
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.(John 6:1-15, ESV)
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
15 Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself.(John 6:1-15, ESV)
Where I spent time previously discussing the crowd that followed Jesus while in awe of His signs, in this blog, I would like to address Jesus and his testing of Philip. There are several places in Scripture which indicate that "testing" is a regular part of being a disciple of Christ. It proves our authenticity in our faith, our commitment to our Creator, our desire to walk righteously in His steps.
For example, in 1 Peter 1:3-7, Peter writes:
3 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result inpraise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3-7, ESV)
3 According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result inpraise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:3-7, ESV)
In Peter's passage, "various trials" have grieved the believers. Persecution and hardship become the examination to test to prove that their faith is genuine. To pass, they must undeniably focus on Christ and let their faith bring perseverance.
In a different kind of trial, as found in this portion of John's writings, I believe there is subtle, yet profound test to see whether what Philip has observed and learned from his Teacher can be applied in a seemingly hopeless and impossible situation.
An "everyday" situation becomes the exam.
I mean, there are several thousand people present. Several thousand coming to Jesus, and our Savior desires to meet a physical need of simply providing dinner. Several thousand. All hungry. And Jesus asks Philip a simple question, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?" Verse 6 indicates that Jesus asked this to test Philip, although Jesus already knew what He was planning to do.
I love that. Jesus knew what He was going to do...and He gives Philip a test to give him an opportunity to join in and trust the Lord for being able to be Provider and Miracle-worker. I mean, isn't that what a test is? An opportunity to express in whatever form the knowledge that has been learned and able to be applied.
Unfortunately, Philip answers with the wrong answer. “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” Although it is true, that is NOT the answer faith would dictate. His eyes look to what is seen, instead of what is unseen. His faith is put on the back burner, while logic and the "obvious" are used as the foundation for his thinking.
I encourage you to examine your circumstances. Often, situations we find ourselves in are similar tests to prove that our faith is genuine and that our commitment to walk in a manner pleasing of the Lord is certain (As Hebrews 11:6 - "And without faith it is impossible to please him..."). Look past what is seen, and believe that God is able to do the impossible - whatever is necessary for His will to be accomplished and our best to be attained. The people were hungry...and Jesus already had a plan. He knew what He was going to do. Whatever your need is...Jesus knows and already has a plan. Will you trust Him today and look past yourself and depend on God Almighty to lead, guide, provide?
It is in His very nature to do so. Do you believe this? Then, I pray, your circumstance would be a test that in Christ - you pass.
#4hisfame.
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