Every now and then, God will press something important in my life. Some lesson, perhaps some healing. But, there is one place that God keeps bringing me back to during the last few years. I wander, sometimes God wants to show me something else that's important - but once done, he brings me back here.
Where he is - is the passage John 6: 8-9.
"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?"
I have written about Andrew in the past and how I identify with him. He's a background character for the most part, included in the apostle roll call - but never usually front & center like Peter or Paul. Here in this passage is one of the few times Andrew takes a starring role in the story.
We know this story because it is the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand. A story I have known backwards and forwards since I was a small child in Sunday School. Yet, God brings me back to this passage time and again because it is where my heart tends to lie.
Let us take a look at this situation here in John. Jesus has been teaching, preaching, and probably hearing for hours now. There is a large group here. They mention five thousand men, which when counting women and children number much more. They have come from all around to hear Jesus talk. When Jesus asks Philip "where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" This was going to be a near impossible task, more than a year's wages as Philip states.
In steps Andrew with a young boy who has five loaves and two fish. Let's all do the simple math here. That's one small loaf for each 1,000 people and a fish for each 2,500 people. That's not even practical. In fact, that would barely feed twenty people much less more than five thousand. Yet, Andrew offers this as a potential solution.
Andrew is not a dumb man. He's got to know that the numbers don't line up properly. It's even possible he brought this up to another disciple before bringing this up to Jesus. What do you think they said when Andrew offered his idea? What would you have said in that situation?
Perhaps "great plan" sarcastically? Maybe point out rudely "There are five thousand, not five Andrew"? But, Andrew takes a risk here to look a fool in front of the other disciples. Maybe, he was just trying to make a dent, maybe trying to score brownie points with Jesus. We don't know his motivation. Maybe, Andrew got it.
That being said, Andrew gives Jesus an out. "How far will they go among so many?" Andrew could be preparing himself for disappointment or he's letting Jesus knows it's OK if he cant do this. It is, after all, more than 5.000 people. I know I catch myself doing that by tacking on the ends of my prayers "if it be your will, Lord". Now, it is His will to answer as He sees fit. Most of the time, I say it acknowledging God's lordship. But, there are times I say it bracing myself for disappointment. Like if God doesn't answer it in a way I want, then I am preparing for it. Like "Hey God you understand how big and daunting this is. If you cant do it - I understand".
Andrew takes a risk, but he is only willing to go so far in his trust of Jesus. Following him just far enough but not all the way. We don't expect miracles, as our logical mind gets in our way. Where Andrew is, I tend to go. Not straying too far out of my comfort zone and willing to trust in miracles.
Jesus doesn't make fun of Andrew for either his offer or hesitation. I picture Jesus smiling that knowing smile with the attitude of watch and see what I am going to do now. As the story goes, Jesus feeds the over five thousand. They each ate as much as they wanted and had twelve baskets of leftover bread. It was more than enough!!! How often are we surprised when God exceeds what we expect and gives us more than we asked? A lot of times, I am guessing.
The other part of this is what we bring to the table. We are the five loaves and two fish. We know that and it sometimes keeps us from moving forward in ministry. We can say that we aren't very strong in our knowledge of the bible, or good at talking, or uncomfortable praying for others. WE hold ourselves back because of our limitations. We see the situation and hesitate in following God's call. But, that's not what God wants - our talents.
I could say the best prayers or preach the greatest sermon and while important is not what God wants ultimately. My time writing this blog has it's importance and maybe I write it well. But, that's not what God wants - my writing talent. God wants our hearts. He wants us to be willing to give our talents - ourselves to Him. The most important thing is where our hearts are. That we give God our hearts. God will take what we offer, even hesitantly, and multiply it for the kingdom. Ultimately, it is what God is doing that is important as opposed to our contributions.
That's what God brings me back to each time with this passage. I feel it is important that we remember not to hold back because we are afraid. That we are not good enough. We aren't, but that doesn't stop God. We are the loaves and fish, very little in the grand scheme, but in the hands of God...
Well, in the hands of God anything is possible. It is that we offer ourselves into His hands. That's the important lesson that I am reminded of each time God shows me.
Going to India, I foresee myself teaching on this, probably in a home group setting. If I ever find myself in front of people preaching, I see this being the message God wants me to speak on (Of course He may have something else that day). The message is "Let God have this". Give our hearts, not just our talents. The Lord will bless and multiply what little we give. We serve a God that amazes and performs miracles. We serve a God who achieves the impossible.
Where he is - is the passage John 6: 8-9.
"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?"
I have written about Andrew in the past and how I identify with him. He's a background character for the most part, included in the apostle roll call - but never usually front & center like Peter or Paul. Here in this passage is one of the few times Andrew takes a starring role in the story.
We know this story because it is the miracle of Jesus feeding the five thousand. A story I have known backwards and forwards since I was a small child in Sunday School. Yet, God brings me back to this passage time and again because it is where my heart tends to lie.
Let us take a look at this situation here in John. Jesus has been teaching, preaching, and probably hearing for hours now. There is a large group here. They mention five thousand men, which when counting women and children number much more. They have come from all around to hear Jesus talk. When Jesus asks Philip "where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" This was going to be a near impossible task, more than a year's wages as Philip states.
In steps Andrew with a young boy who has five loaves and two fish. Let's all do the simple math here. That's one small loaf for each 1,000 people and a fish for each 2,500 people. That's not even practical. In fact, that would barely feed twenty people much less more than five thousand. Yet, Andrew offers this as a potential solution.
Andrew is not a dumb man. He's got to know that the numbers don't line up properly. It's even possible he brought this up to another disciple before bringing this up to Jesus. What do you think they said when Andrew offered his idea? What would you have said in that situation?
Perhaps "great plan" sarcastically? Maybe point out rudely "There are five thousand, not five Andrew"? But, Andrew takes a risk here to look a fool in front of the other disciples. Maybe, he was just trying to make a dent, maybe trying to score brownie points with Jesus. We don't know his motivation. Maybe, Andrew got it.
That being said, Andrew gives Jesus an out. "How far will they go among so many?" Andrew could be preparing himself for disappointment or he's letting Jesus knows it's OK if he cant do this. It is, after all, more than 5.000 people. I know I catch myself doing that by tacking on the ends of my prayers "if it be your will, Lord". Now, it is His will to answer as He sees fit. Most of the time, I say it acknowledging God's lordship. But, there are times I say it bracing myself for disappointment. Like if God doesn't answer it in a way I want, then I am preparing for it. Like "Hey God you understand how big and daunting this is. If you cant do it - I understand".
Andrew takes a risk, but he is only willing to go so far in his trust of Jesus. Following him just far enough but not all the way. We don't expect miracles, as our logical mind gets in our way. Where Andrew is, I tend to go. Not straying too far out of my comfort zone and willing to trust in miracles.
Jesus doesn't make fun of Andrew for either his offer or hesitation. I picture Jesus smiling that knowing smile with the attitude of watch and see what I am going to do now. As the story goes, Jesus feeds the over five thousand. They each ate as much as they wanted and had twelve baskets of leftover bread. It was more than enough!!! How often are we surprised when God exceeds what we expect and gives us more than we asked? A lot of times, I am guessing.
The other part of this is what we bring to the table. We are the five loaves and two fish. We know that and it sometimes keeps us from moving forward in ministry. We can say that we aren't very strong in our knowledge of the bible, or good at talking, or uncomfortable praying for others. WE hold ourselves back because of our limitations. We see the situation and hesitate in following God's call. But, that's not what God wants - our talents.
I could say the best prayers or preach the greatest sermon and while important is not what God wants ultimately. My time writing this blog has it's importance and maybe I write it well. But, that's not what God wants - my writing talent. God wants our hearts. He wants us to be willing to give our talents - ourselves to Him. The most important thing is where our hearts are. That we give God our hearts. God will take what we offer, even hesitantly, and multiply it for the kingdom. Ultimately, it is what God is doing that is important as opposed to our contributions.
That's what God brings me back to each time with this passage. I feel it is important that we remember not to hold back because we are afraid. That we are not good enough. We aren't, but that doesn't stop God. We are the loaves and fish, very little in the grand scheme, but in the hands of God...
Well, in the hands of God anything is possible. It is that we offer ourselves into His hands. That's the important lesson that I am reminded of each time God shows me.
Going to India, I foresee myself teaching on this, probably in a home group setting. If I ever find myself in front of people preaching, I see this being the message God wants me to speak on (Of course He may have something else that day). The message is "Let God have this". Give our hearts, not just our talents. The Lord will bless and multiply what little we give. We serve a God that amazes and performs miracles. We serve a God who achieves the impossible.
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