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.”
John 6:5-6, NIV*
God’s tests reveal to us what we’ve already learned, or how successfully we apply it, or they show us we still have some learning to do.
I can imagine Philip looking around and seeing the impossibility of feeding a crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children. He heard Jesus’ question and felt responsible to provide a solution.
To pass the test would have been to turn to Jesus for the solution.
The disciples had already experienced Jesus’ miraculous signs, and this new challenge was an opportunity to extrapolate their faith from what they’d seen into new territory.
Jesus wasn’t into pulling things out of thin air like an entertainer. He worked with the materials on hand, be it water when people needed wine, or a damaged person who needed wholeness.
I’d like to think Andrew passed the test by telling the group about the boy with the loaves and fish, but he finished his sentence with “but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:8-9, NIV*)
How many times do I do the same thing?
Father, by Your grace I’ve seen You work in my heart and circumstances. I’ve heard the testimonies of other believers. When life throws the next question at me, please help me pass the test. Help me remember You already have in mind what You plan to do. Help me trust you.
∞
Let’s encourage our spirits with Matt Redman’s song, “You Never Let Go”.
*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
A powerful reminder of God’s love. Thanks for sharing that Janet.
Hi Carolyn, thanks for stopping by.
“Trust and obey” — it’s so simple, and yet it takes a lifetime to learn. So easy to forget!