The Feeding
of the Five Thousand was an incredible miracle and such a great teaching tool.
It continues to have instruction (on many levels) for us today. Looking at just
one aspect of this account we find Andrew making a claim that was
representative of the other disciples, but probably contained a tiny bit more
hope than the others.
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?” He said this to test him, for he
himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth
of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's
brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two
fish, but what are they for so many?” John 6:5-9 ESV
The verse that follows recounts that Jesus immediately asked the disciples to tell the
people to sit down—i.e., get ready to eat. In view of prior discussions, Christ’s
response is not logical.
Earlier,
John’s Gospel tells us that upon seeing the gathering crowd, Jesus had asked
the disciples where one could buy food for this large group of hungry people.
Philip had concluded that two hundred days’ worth of wages would not be enough
to buy the food necessary—if they could even find that much in the neighboring
villages. Clearly, though Jesus had compassion and wanted to feed the people,
there just was no earthly way He could do it. If two hundred denarii could not
buy enough food, why was Jesus preparing to feed the crowd with a child’s
snack?
There are
many messages in the miracle, but one message jumps off the page! Christ
enlisted the disciples’ help in figuring out this ministry opportunity.
Basically, He asked them, “How are we going to feed all these
people?” It wasn't an “if” question, it was a “how” question. Philip introduced
the conventional approach outlining the money needed, the probabilities, the
logistics, and so on. Philip outlined all that they didn't have to be
successful. Truly, there were too many obstacles; it couldn't be done.
Andrew,
however, was bold (or silly) enough to mention what they did have: a boy’s
lunch. But, quickly (perhaps hearing laughter or derision in the background)
realized how inadequate his suggestion was: “but what are they for so many?”
Jesus then
used the resources (the little boy’s lunch) the disciples had concluded was
wholly inadequate—and their reason for not even trying—to feed the multitudes!
The lessons become pretty transparent at this point:
1. Jesus can do anything, anytime, anywhere!
2. What Jesus intends to do, He can and will do!
3. The very things that argue against success can be used to
achieve God’s purposes!
4. It doesn't take much (on our part) to participate in
miracles!
5. Further, suppose they could have
bought the food that was needed. What implications would have followed? Jesus
was a nice guy; He was thoughtful, generous, a great host, etc. More
importantly, what truths about His character and ministry would have been lost?
Sadly, I am
more like Philip than Andrew. I have a gift for seeing the obstacles to any
great adventure. I have a gift for seeing what is inadequate by design or
practice. I find it easy to rule out opportunities that have no earthly chance
of working—why waste time and resources on those things when there are plenty
of other good, (and proven) methods, or opportunities that need our time and
resources?
Jesus was
teaching and healing. For Philip and the others those things were already
incredible ministry—a hundred times better than what was happening in the
temple and synagogues.
But Jesus
wanted to do more.
And, it
appears, He was able to do so with very little: a little boy’s lunch and twelve
weary, human-thinking disciples. This is humbling for all of us who know
what good ministry looks like. We know a church needs compelling facilities, a
vague and arresting name, easy parking, up-tempo and contemporary music,
outstanding musicians, hip staff, great preaching, lifestyle ministry and leisure activities,
and great on-line resources. Pity the fools that can’t manage those things.
Or maybe
not: Jesus made ten to twenty thousand servings of food from that little lunch—so
much so that they had more leftovers than the food with which He started! Truly, God has raised up some great people and great churches to His glory, but statistically that is not the norm, nor is it (necessarily) God's plan. Perhaps (just perhaps) God can still use humble people and humble programs and humble facilities today
. . . Perhaps it is still Jesus that matters most in all that we do.
As believers we need to change our thinking and praying to account for the fact that Jesus is the power and inspiration for all ministry. His glory is our goal! If Jesus is not at work, then all our activity is a silly waste of energy anyway.We need open eyes to see the miracles God wants to do in our lives and ministries. We need to move away from our fixation on conventional wisdom or (worse) what we do not have to freely and unabashedly giving our Lord all that we DO have . . . however humble it might be.
To God be the glory, great things He has done; great things He will do!
