By Pastor Alex Ruelo
John 6:1-14 says, “Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.””
Jesus asked Phillip because he supposedly lived within the perimeter. But He was not asking to get an answer because He already knew what was going to happen. He was only testing Phillip to see his faith. Do you know of people who answer a question with the wrong answer? This is how Phillip was to Jesus when He asked him where they could buy bread to feed the 5,000. Jesus asked where to buy bread and Phillip’s answer was, “It would take half a year’s wages to feed these people.” Wrong answer to the question.
When this story is told, you only notice the boy who had the bread and fish. You do not notice Phillip, Andrew or the crowd. But this story shows us otherwise.
Material (v. 5-7) - Man focuses so much on material things. The enemy has stolen all things of this world. He has replaced the important things with the non-essential stuff. And people buy it. We put importance on the trivial things and do not mind the essentail things. The economics of heaven is different from the one here on earth. On earth, 5+2=7. In heaven, 5+2=5000 plus.
Miracle (v. 11-13) - People look for miracles in the most unexpected way. But miracles can happen everyday. It can start with you and the little things you did not used to do. If you want a miracle in your life, you need to be ready to respond to the voice of God. Change the way you live your life. Do the things you did not used to do. That is a miracle in itself. To experience a miracle, you need to be closer to Jesus to hear Him.
Multitude (v. 2, 5, 14) - There are many people who look at you and look to you. Anything you do will be viewed by others. They are just waiting for you to make a mistake so they can judge you. Anything and everything you do can be used against you. There are eyes everywhere. Watch out. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Remove all the bad and negative things hanging onto your life so you can freely walk into the glory of what God wants for you.
Andrew was the one who brought the boy with the 5 pieces of bread and 2 loaves of fish to Jesus. He could have just laughed it off like Phillip. But he found a way. What can we see in the life and faith of Andrew?
He focused on the solution. (V. 8-9) Be the solution. Do not be the problem that is full of excuses.
When God invites, jump in faith. (V. 5) Is God inviting you to be a part of the miracle so you can personally experience Him? Jump in! God knows everything and He already knows the end of your story. Have faith.
Be ready for the ripple effect. (V. 12-13) Many people will be affected because of you and what you do. Do the right thing.
Philippians 2:5-7 says, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form.” Do not follow the world. If you want change, be like Jesus.
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