The fourth Sign... part 3...

So Philip sees only that a monetary amount of almost a full year's wages would be needed to feed this group, and we don't have that much.  Another Gospel points out that Christ tells the 12 to give them something to eat, and they were probably a tad confused by the statement.  But then Andrew catches a small glimpse of the way to approach this situation.

"One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, 'There's a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish - but what are they for so many?'"

John 6:8-9, HCSB

Despite the fact that Andrew doubts the amount of provision, he still sees provision.  And for an instant, I think he almost understood... but then the worldly understanding that takes over so many things in all our lives came a'knockin', and all of a sudden it went from there being a provision to the provision not being enough.  We all do that, don't we?  We see that (please understand I do not mean this blasphemously, but as an example) God is attempting to provide for us, but we don't think it is enough to cover {insert financial/emotional/physical concern here}, and we "need" more.  It's an interesting concept, really.

The truth of it all is that Andrew did catch a small glimpse into the provisional power of God through Christ, and he pointed out what Jesus already knew... the boy with the loaves and fish.  One thing I would like to note here is that the lunch being carried was not that of a king, nor was it that of even a grown adult.  This lunch was being carried by and for a child, and in this moment, we see that God is not interested in only using the super-duper mega-minister who has 5,000 hours of schooling and has led "X" number of people to salvation.  No.  He wants, and wills, to use each and every person in the proper time... in His proper time... regardless of age, size, ability, intelligence, malady, etc.  At any point that selection could be upon you to go forward and share your lunch with the Messiah.  Yes, you.

I'm going to go a little farther, though, in that this moment of seeing the child and his small lunch had to be something powerful for the 12.  And I will pose a question for you to ponder: given that all things are orchestrated as backdrop for the glorification of Christ, and that these scenes were known to Him going in, is this moment meant to teach the 12 specifically, more than it is meant to serve as a massive Sign to the crowd present?  They, in fact, would need to carry forward the message, you know, so teachable moments like this one would have been in high demand at all times.  Plus, the people on the outskirts of the crowd wouldn't have been able to see that the boy had only 5 loaves and two fish.  They would only have been receiving food, and not known where it came from.

Most important about this Sign, though, is that Jesus had the people sit, and then He did what He has done with all those before: He spoke.  He gave thanks to the Father for the provision, regardless of the size of the provision, and began to distribute the food to the crowd, "as much as they wanted (end of vs. 11)."  Jesus spoke thanks over what was given, and then started handing out not as much as He knew they needed, but rather as much as they wanted.  The basket became literally bottomless, and had seemingly no end to what was inside.  The same is true of the grace that flows out from Him onto us all!

Give thanks for your provisions today.  The earth and the worldly folks in it may not think that your provision is great enough... you may not think it is great enough... but God knows what you need, and if you are thankful for what He gives, then His blessing will be upon it.

God bless you all!!!