When does the story, learned on a flannelgraph board in Sunday School decades ago, become a reality in my 21st century world? The smiling face of the boy, bringing Jesus five loaves and two fish, flashes across my memory as I reread John 6:1-14, a sweet story of giving from a child’s perspective. Yet how does this tale of fish and loaves affect my life today? What does it take for the miracle of provision to become one’s own personal reality? What will it take for it to become yours?
Head knowledge, that ability to retell a Biblical story, versus heart knowledge, the ability to retell how God did that same miracle in one’s own life, is a precious thing, but it comes through testing of one’s faith, which produces endurance. To experience Jesus’ miraculous provision, one must be in need. Need is not easy. Admitting need requires humility and a authentic view of one’s circumstance, all the while being willing to ask for help. Jesus took the most human need, food, and showed the world that He is the great provider of all our needs.
After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased. 3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.
4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. 5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” 6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.
7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?” 10 Then Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. 11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples[a] to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.” 13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. 14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.”
We too will be tested by God, as the disciples were, in order for Him to demonstrate His miraculous power in our lives. It stretches our faith when we have come to the end of ourselves and recognize that all good gifts from from our Maker and Provider. That paycheck that we once took credit for, comes from God. Our health, in spite of our best efforts to take care of oneself, come from God. Our transportation: God. Our shelter: God. Our every meal: God. Our salvation: God.
In order to truly experience God’s power and provision, one must find oneself in need. This is when our third grade Sunday School lesson becomes more than just a coloring page and lovely story.This is when the head knowledge becomes life changing heart knowledge and all praise goes to Jesus who cares about our every need and meets them according to His riches in glory.
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
After the disciples experienced Christ’s compassion for the crowd and great power over matter, multiplying a tiny lunch to feed thousands, they testified to who Jesus was. We too should testify to God’s miracles in our own lives, bringing praise to the One Who’s own life was broken to provide salvation for millions.
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Romans 8:32
In the midst of your need, however that may manifest itself, call out to Jesus, wait for His provision and give praise for His loving care.