THE BOY AND THE MULTITUDE
Read it
John 6:7-9
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?” (John 6:7-9)
Discover It
Have you ever felt like you were being spread too thin? That the emotional demands of work and family and just the everyday hassles of the world are leaving you empty and hungry? Well, there is good news. Jesus can take what little you have left and make it into much. In our scripture for today, thousands of people had come out to the wilderness to see Jesus and to hear him teach. Jesus asked his disciple Philip where to get bread for them to eat. Philip’s response indicated that there was no place in this wilderness to get food, and even if there was, a half-year’s wages could not even give them one bite. But then another disciple came to Jesus with a solution. “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish.” But of course, small offering cannot feed a multitude…can it?
Ask It
1_ Why do you think Jesus went to a remote place to teach? And why do you think the multitudes followed him there?
2_ Why do you think Jesus asked Philip to do something that was humanly impossible to do? And today, is it fair that the Lord sometimes asks us to face things bigger than we can handle?
3_ Why do you think Andrew brought this little boy to Jesus, knowing his contribution was miniscule compared to the needs of so many people?
Live It
1_ Take God’s Challenge to do Big Things in Small Ways. Like the old song says, “Little is much when God is in it, Labor not for wealth and fame, There’s a crown and you can win it, If you go in Jesus’ name.”
2_ Be Positive and Include Jesus. Philip looked at the problem with negativity. But Andrew looked at the problem with positivity, bringing every resource to Jesus, no matter how small.
3_ Believe in a Miracle-Working God! The feeding of the multitude has resonated through history, teaching us about the boundless resources of Jesus. Believe in him and he will supply your every need.
Pray It
Lord, we come before you with gratitude, acknowledging Your boundless love and provision in our lives. Since You are the Creator of all things, and the source of every good gift, we lift up to You the big things in our lives, the challenges that seem insurmountable, the dreams that appear out of reach, and the uncertainties that weigh heavy on our hearts, knowing that with You, nothing is impossible. Thank You, Lord, for providing our every need according to Your riches in glory - the air we breathe, the food we eat, the shelter over our heads, and the relationships that enrich our lives. Help us to be good stewards of the resources You have entrusted to us, using them wisely and generously, to bring glory to Your name and to bless others in need. In times of abundance, may we never forget that every good and perfect gift comes from You. And in times of scarcity, may we trust in Your promise to provide for us, knowing that You are our ever-present help in times of trouble. Lord, we surrender our worries, fears, and doubts to You, knowing that You are our strength and our refuge. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.