A moment for reflection: The Five Thousand by Morag Cameron A very well loved and often told story the one about Jesus feeding five thousand people. This is also the only miracle of Jesus recorded in all four of the Gospels. Jesus had just sat down with his disciples after performing many miracles and healing the sick. He looked out and saw the crowds of people searching for Him and coming to find Him. He could have used that moment to stand back up and begin teaching and preaching to the crowds but instead He asked the disciples a question. “Then Jesus, when he looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said to Philip, ‘Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?’” John 6:5 This question gives us insight into the fact Jesus noticed and responded to the physical needs of the people the same way as He saw the spiritual needs. Jesus sees us and empathises with us. Jesus was faced with a crowd of 5,000 people or more and it would seem absurd to think a handful of dinner rolls and a few pieces of fish could satisfy the hunger of even a single person, much less a crowd of that size. But God can do a lot with a little and God can use ordinary things. He knows how to meet the most enormous need in a miraculous way and He will often use what He’s already put in our hands. We should never underestimate what God has given us as it could be the very thing He will use for our good, for the good of others and to bring great glory to His name. |
What started as not nearly enough became more than enough in His hands. John 6:11 tells us Jesus provided “as much as they wanted” When we come to Jesus and let Him be the source to meet our needs, we find our every desire can be met in Him. He wants to meet our every need according to His riches in glory. When we feast on His Word, when we partake of the very Bread of Life, we will not be left wanting. It would have been enough for Jesus to meet the needs of the people with a good meal. They would have gone away satisfied nothing was wasted. “When they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted” John 6:12 Jesus saw to it that the disciples didn’t leave any part of His provision behind, including the small pieces some may have left - providing not only for their “today,” but ensuring they would have more for their “tomorrow” as well. What they witnessed Him do, they would recall in the days to come and draw strength and revelation from His ability to meet their needs. When God works in our lives, there is no mistaking His goodness and faithfulness. We should give Him the praise and glory for it, acknowledge His power at work, tell others of His goodness and give praise to Him for all He has done. Hymn Give Thanks - Don Moen with Lyrics - Bing video Prayer Lord, we acknowledge Your goodness in providing our needs. We give You thanks for the stories in the Bible where we can read about Your miracles and also for those today throughout the earth. Thank You for being our strength in times of weakness and for blessing us with Your presence. We thank You for You are our God and we #praise You now and as long as we shall live. Amen |
