John 6: 5-7
5 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?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Steps to Take in Times of Need
English: Jesus feeding a crowd with 5 loaves of bread and two fish (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The feeding of the 5,000 with a mere 5 loaves and 2 fishes is one of the most memorable events detailed in the New Testament. We wonder at this event, and in our awe we miss some of the small details that hold relevance for believers today. This historical account is a lesson in how to use faith as we solve problems about our daily needs.
In this account from the life of Jesus, we see that the situation was seen from three different perspectives: That of Jesus, who “knew what he was going to do,” that of the disciples who were being tested and that of the child who surrendered his lunch to be used of God. Jesus was teaching a faith lesson while meeting the needs of the crowd who had come to hear him. The disciples came to hear Jesus but also to help with tasks that came up during ministry activities. The boy came to hear Jesus. He probably never dreamed that a his lunch would be the launch pad for a miracle.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
The miracle started to unfold when a problem was identified. The people were patient and loyal in staying to listen to Jesus. Now they were hungry and tired. It was obvious that they needed food and rest. The challenge how to meet the need. Actually, in modern terms, this is a customer service problem, something that every business person can relate to. Jesus tested his disciples with a solution posed as a question: “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (verse 5) There were two different reactions to this question.
Step 2: Brain-storm for Solutions
The first disciple, Philip, thought about the proposed solution to buy bread, and rejected it as being unaffordable, saying: “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (verse 7)
The second disciple, Andrew, looked for resources within the environment and presented what he found to Jesus despite his doubt: “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” (verse 9)
Talk it Over With Jesus
Both Andrew and Philip doubted, but their reactions to their doubt differed. Philip allowed reason to prevent him from doing anything other than detail the depth of the cost. Andrew also saw the magnitude of the problem, but decided to do two things: He looked for what food was available, and he presented what he found to Jesus.
This is a very important lesson for our daily lives. When needs arise, we are to identify the need. We are to look around at our immediate resources and identify what we already have that can be used. Then, we are to present what we have to Jesus. Remember, faith without works is dead. When we pray and act, the Lord will guide our steps and create the solution to the problem. Whether it’s job hunting, job advancement or sharpening a skill or talent we already have, we should act in faith and hope, knowing that God is willing and able to supply all our need. He will guide us to His solution.
The next blog post will discuss the second part of this lesson, which is problem management.
May these words comfort & teach you today. Until we meet again: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
Verneda
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