What Do You Need?

“One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to Him, ‘There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?’ Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ Now there was much grass in the place, so the men sat down, in number about five thousand. Jesus then took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed to those who were seated; likewise also of the fish as much as they wanted. When they were filled, He said to His disciples, ‘Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.’ So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten. Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, ‘This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’” John 6:8-14

Which is more astounding? That Jesus fed 5,000 (not including women and children) with the equivalent of five pancakes and two sardines. Or that Andrew was able to talk a small boy out of his lunch. To talk your average four or five-year-old boy out of a McDonald’s hamburger and french fries surely puts Andrew in a class all his own. Seriously, this was indeed a spectacular miracle. The only one recorded in all four gospels.

Central in this scene is the purpose of God to declare Jesus the Son of God with power. Philip’s assessment of the problem was that there just wasn’t enough money around to feed so many. Two hundred denarii or about three-fourths of the average workingman’s annual salary. “There is a lad here,” said Andrew, “who has five barely loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” Was this a minor report only? Or did Andrew believe Jesus could do anything? Or everything? Surely you would cast your vote for the latter. That allows you to set the optimist against the pessimist.

No question here, though: Jesus is worthy of all the faith and hope you place in Him. Even as Jesus wrought the miracle in providing food for the throng of people, with equal abundance can He meet every need in your life. Love Him today.