That Sounds Interesting

Today we continue our trip through sections of John’s Gospel and today is no different then before. This passage may be small, but God has big plans for this word. Now normally verse 15 is the end note of the previous story but it has it’s place here so as to enlighten us to a characteristic of Jesus. Remember, Jesus just fed the 5,000 (closer to 7,000 or 10,000) right before this section.

15 Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He withdrew again to the mountain by Himself. 16 When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. 19 After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. 20 But He said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid!” 21 Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading. John 6:15-21 HCSB

We first find Jesus, after doing the unthinkable feeding, somewhat fleeing from people to the hillside by himself. Many biblical scholars will agree that this was a moment that our Savior was praying. His Apostles were most likely near by, but he was alone with His Father. Now he just fed the people around mid day and now after retreating to prayer I found something interesting. Verse 16 alludes to the idea that from his mid day rendezvous with his Father, has now turned into a 4 to 5 hour prayer and quiet time with him. From the mid afternoon all the way through verse 17 we are given the impression that Jesus prays until darkness. So involved in his prayer, that His disciples find it okay to leave him there. When is the last time we found ourselves in this situation. Did you ever think about how Jesus, being perfect, never had to ask for forgiveness, yet he is spending this much time with God. Some Christians wouldn’t know what to pray for that could last that amount of time. I struggle with this very same thing at times. We say we’re Christian, yet we don’t strive sometimes to seek God like Jesus.

Another crazy thought is who of the disciple first decided, “Hey guys, I think we waited for him enough, it’s time to go.” Not only did they suggest the idea, they were able to put it in motion. Jesus’ twelve best friends decide they don’t want to wait for him, and give the impression that they can get across that lake without Jesus. If it were me, I’d say, “How about we get far enough off shore to get Jesus’ attention, then when he sees us and comes… we go back and get him.” But that’s not what happens. They go 3 to 4 miles out into the lake.(The average person can take 20-30mins to run this distance, let alone row a boat this distance) When you row a boat, that’s a long time! On top of that, the water is getting rough and it’s dark outside. In my opinion, something is not adding up. They just left the miraculous Jesus and are in the middle of the dark and rough lake with no way to find land.. Then the word pointed the finger at me, how often do you misunderstand Jesus and decide that you know the easier way to do something? You may call these Apostles idiots, but you must remember you do the same thing sometimes! How often do we leave our self worse than we started sometimes.

Lastly, Jesus does something, which I will love him for, yet never understand. After being somewhat forgotten, Left behind, and utterly disrespected by his closest friends, he walks on water the whole distance to reach them. Notice his greeting is not one of frustration, not one disappointment, but one of joy and grace. This shadowy figure comes closer to the boat and cries out, “it’s only me, Jesus, don’t worry!” Jesus in spite of the right to let them perish in the lake, he pursues after them, and gently guides them to the right path.  He chose to love them in this time. Look for some of you reading this, you’re in the middle of what this story calls the rocky lake, it’s dark, and you’re terrified of what could happen next. Be encouraged because what may seem like a far off shadowy figure will turn out to be the Lover of our soul walking on water toward you. Literally acting in the supernatural and radically trying to grasp your attention. If that’s you today, give in to him. Be willing to let him in your boat!

How often are you praying?

How often are you telling Jesus to wait on the shore of your life while you think you can make it across the lake?

How often are you letting him in the boat?

I love you Beloved

The Little Things

1 After this, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). 2 And a huge crowd was following Him because they saw the signs that He was performing by healing the sick. 3 So Jesus went up a mountain and sat down there with His disciples. 4 Now the Passover, a Jewish festival, was near. 5 Therefore, when Jesus looked up and noticed a huge crowd coming toward Him, He asked Philip, “Where will we buy bread so these people can eat?” 6 He asked this to test him, for He Himself knew what He was going to do. 7 Philip answered, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread wouldn’t be enough for each of them to have a little.” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There’s a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish—but what are they for so many?” 10 Then Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, so they sat down. The men numbered about 5,000. 11 Then Jesus took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were seated—so also with the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 When they were full, He told His disciples, “Collect the leftovers so that nothing is wasted.” 13 So they collected them and filled 12 baskets with the pieces from the five barley loaves that were left over by those who had eaten.14 When the people saw the sign He had done, they said, “This really is the Prophet who was to come into the world!” 15 Therefore, when Jesus knew that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He withdrew again to the mountain by Himself. John 6:1-15

Today I wanted to focus on the story of the feeding of the 5,000. In all actuality, it probably would have been closer to 7,000 or 10,000 if the women and children were included in the counting. That’s right Jesus actually fed that many people with five barley loaves and two fish. There is so much going on in this story that I could probably write several different blogs on it, but today I want to focus on one thing in particular.

It’s the idea that Phillip’s response is different than that of Andrew. Jesus asks Phillip a question to test him, “How are we going to meet all of these people’s needs?” Now in this instance it just so happens to be that food is their need. Phillip responds with what would seem to be a natural human response, “8 months worth of wages would even help everyone have a little.” In other words, in his own mind and in his flesh he can’t see a way to possibly help all of them. 

Andrew on the other hand says something quite different. I’m not sure exactly what was going on in his mind that made him say what he does, but we see a glimpse of faith in Jesus from Andrew that Phillip didn’t display. Andrew says, “I don’t know how it’ll help you Lord, but here is the little that we have.” If I was another apostle I probably would have chuckled under my breath and thought Andrew was ridiculous for even bringing that up.  He seriously thought that five loaves and two fish has the potential to make an impact in everyone’s lives, enough so to fill all of their needs. That’s crazy, and seems preposterous.

Check out what happens next though. Jesus takes the little of what Andrews offers up, he blesses it, and….. He meets their needs with it. Now That’s Crazy!! Imagine if we as Christians came to the Lord in a similar way to Andrew.

There is a lot of hurting people in our city, workplace, schools, and families. It seems as though that the challenge to meet their needs is unbearable. That all the work in the world we could do wouldn’t meet their needs. However, God is longing for a people, a generation to come to him with the little we have,  let him bless it, and watch it feed the masses. It in fact will not only feed them until they are satisfied, but it will fill them to the point of over flow.

Some of you reading this would say that you fall under the idea that, like Phillip, there is nothing you could possibly do! Does this story back that claim up?

What would it take for you to come to the heart of Andrew? One that says, "Here is the very little I have, but I know you can do something with it!"

I love you beloved