Manna in the Shape of Loaves and Fish

Manna in the Shape of Loaves and Fish

John 6:1-9

 

This crowd of hungry people – 5,000 men, plus women and children (Matthew 14:21) – brings to mind the Old Testament multitude settling down to life in the wilderness after they escaped the slavery of Egypt. In both situations, no food was naturally available to feed the hungry throng. John tells us that Jesus was testing the disciples (vs 6). Just as the Israelites of old were being schooled in the wilderness, the disciples are getting an education on the mountain.   

 

Isn't it true that when we face a problem, we immediately go into 'problem solving mode?'  That is exactly what Philip and Andrew did here. Philip does a quick calculation and concludes that they could never buy enough food for this crowd. Andrew locates some food – but states that, after all, it is minuscule, and of what use could it be? Would they realize that the Lord was their only resource?

 

How quickly do we recognize that there is nothing we can do and then turn to the One with all the resources of heaven?  We don't even see that we are making a choice to tackle the situation without Him. We see a problem and try to find a way to solve it while the Lord is standing by, waiting to reveal Himself to us in our troubles. We claim to belong to Him – saying that without Him we can do nothing – and yet treat Him as if He is both powerless and uncaring towards us.

 

The Jews in the wilderness, and the disciples on the mountain, picture the feeble heart of mankind. Those wilderness Jews, having just experienced God's power to free them from Egyptian bondage, even making a way for them  to cross the Red Sea on dry ground, could not find it in themselves to trust Him to feed them. Instead they complained. The disciples – having witnessed one miracle after another – had no thought that Jesus could, or would, provide for the hungry crowd without their help.

 

 Picture this: faith-filled wilderness Jews saying, "Wow, what will happen next? A God who can part the sea will surely provide food for us!" And the disciples, full of expectation,  saying, "Hey everyone take a seat, you're about to see something really spectacular – this is the Son of God!"

 

As with the disciples, difficulties expose the poverty of our faith, while at the same time they reveal the greatness of the resources in the Lord.    ~Hamilton Smith