"When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would." John 6:5-11
One young lad, in Jesus' day, did not seem very significant to a crowd of five thousand ~ but he was! His five loaves of bread and two fishes would not have gone very far if he distributed them himself. But the young lad made his bread and fish available to Jesus, whose power then multiplied them to feed the vast majority of people. I believe this young lad truly had faith in Jesus! Philip's faith, however, did not seem to be as strong. Two hundred penneyworth, which was two hundred denari, was equivilent to two hundred day's work. The average wages back then for a working man was a penny a day. Now, Philip certainly had more than this young lad, but did not offer to entrust it to Jesus. Their faith, I believe, was weak. They didn't have enough to go around, and they didn't offer it to share! The lad gave what he had, and it made a difference! Jesus took what a young child offered and used it to accomplish one of the most spectacular miracles recorded in the Gospels. Like this young lad, if we also would take what little we have, and offer it to God, He will turn it into something great! Through just one person, God can bless a multitude!
Application:
We sometimes feel insignificant ~ our abilities and possessions may not appear to be of any help to others for us. However, as in the past, God can do much with what little we have, if we'll allow Him. Remember, those who we help effect multitudes of others they contact ~ just from one kind deed!
Have a wonderfully blessed day in the Lord, as you look for opportunities to be a blessing to others.
Love in Christ,
Sandy |
