OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSINGS
OBEDIENCE BRINGS BLESSING
Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. —John 6:5-13
Jesus already knew what He was going to do for this hungry crowd. He also already knows what He wants to accomplish through in and through us. Jesus tested Philip by asking him “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” What was the test for Philip? The test, at least part of it, was to see where Philip would look for the provision. He looked at the natural process—- “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” It was Andrew that said to Him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?”
Jesus then delegated to His disciples to have the people sit down. Think of that. There were 5,000 men and with women and children there as well there could have been 10,000 people. Whatever the exact number, it was a lot of people!
So what happened? Jesus took the loaves and fish, gave thanks and distributed among the people. All the people “had eaten their fill.” So much is interesting about this passage. Yes, Jesus knew what He was going do. He used what was available and multiplied it to feed thousands. Where did the twelve baskets come from? Jesus knew they were among the crowd and would be needed to collect the leftovers— 12 baskets filled— one for each of His 12 disciples to carry! The lesson— Bring to Jesus what you have and He will accomplish what He desires.
What does Jesus want to do in you and through you? Yield to Him what you have and watch Him multiply it. Bring Him your talents, abilities, giftedness and whatever resources you have and expect Him to work through them to impact many. This will not happen though unless you obey His desires. The obedient will be blessed and be a blessing, the disobedient will not be blessed nor be a blessing. Which do you want? Oh, that we would be obedient followers of Jesus. So be it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuuLBPOYcI8
Please dear Father take all I am and all I have and accomplish what You desire in and through my life with the time I have left on this planet. You have blessed me greatly and I truly desire to be a blessing to others that they may know You, serve You and know the joy that only You can give. May this be so in the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Jesus.