Miraculous Provision

Phillip couldn’t believe it. They had taken a boat across the Sea of Galilee and still the crowds followed them. How did they get here so quickly? he asked. We crossed the sea and they almost beat us here. Ever since Jesus had started with the miracles and healings, the crowds just got bigger. There was no escaping them and now they were coming from the surrounding countries to be healed. Every time, the Master would take a deep breath and wade into them, healing them and speaking to them.

When they had heard the news about John’s head being delivered on a platter, Jesus decided to get away for a few days. Phillip wondered if there might be an assassin in the crowd. It was no secret that the rulers of Israel wanted to kill the next king before He could ascend the throne. They were all wondering when He was going to begin the political process to become king. He hadn’t said a word about it and the disciples were all arguing over what positions they would hold when He took the throne. As it was, the crowds, the healings and the preaching continued on day after day.

Today, there were thousands who had followed them on foot around the sea to find them. Jesus looked out upon them and then did something Phillip didn’t expect. The Master smiled, eyes twinkling and asked him, Where are we going to get enough food to feed all these people? Phillip was floored by the question. Feed this mob? There was no way! He looked at the Lord and said, if I had 8 months wages I might be able to give each of them one bite. We don’t need to use all of our resources to feed all of these people Lord. We will have to send them to the villages to fend for themselves. Then Jesus said the most astounding statement that Phillip had ever heard. Turning to the disciples Jesus said, they don’t need to leave, you feed them. Say what?! How in the world are we supposed to feed them Lord, we only have five loaves of bread and two small fish for our own meal. Jesus looked at them for a moment and then said, have the people sit in groups and give me the food.

The next few moments were etched in Phillips memory forever. As the people sat down in groups, Jesus took the bread and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and began to break the bread into portion sized pieces. He broke bread and broke bread and every time He broke off a piece, it was like it multiplied in His hands. Was this magic? The disciples began to serve the bread and it kept on coming and coming until everyone had enough. Then Jesus took the fish with the same result. Phillip was tired from carrying food to all these people. More than he was tired, he was purely amazed that the pile in front of Jesus kept growing. How did He do this stuff? More than that, Jesus had implied that they could have done this themselves. He just knew He would never have enough faith to do what Jesus was doing. Finally, they were all served and they had all eaten their fill. No one was still hungry but had eaten all they could and there were leftovers. Jesus told them to pick up the pieces and not waste any of God’s grace. They picked up 12 baskets, more than enough for their own meal. What a day!! Someone decided to count the people and they came up with 5,000. Jesus had fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish. Oh, boy, what kind of crowds will we have now Phillip wondered.

As everyone finished their meal, Jesus told the disciples, get in the boat and cross back over, I am going into the mountain to pray and will meet you on the other side. As they were gathering their things to go, Phillip just had to ask, Master, did you know these people would follow us to this remote place? Jesus looked intently into Phillip’s eyes and just nodded. Well, Lord, if you knew and also knew that we would need to feed them, then why didn’t we just make arrangements? Jesus smiled and asked Phillip a counter question (He was good at that). Phillip, is there more glory for God if He provides enough through our preparation or if He provides through a miracle? Phillip thought for a moment, I guess the miracle would bring more glory to God than our own efforts. Exactly Phillip, and our job here is to bring the most glory to God isn’t it? Yes Lord, Phillip responded. Are you willing to start your day without enough Phillip so that God can be glorified by providing for you through a miracle or do you require that God give you more than enough for you to feel secure? Phillip looked off over the sea as He realized what Jesus was asking. In this question he imagined a future where some days, he would start without enough so that God could provide in such a way that would bring glory to Him. For a fleeting moment Phillip saw it but then it was gone. What is this talk of starting with little, Lord? After all, you are going to be the king. We are going to be rich Lords and have more than we need. Jesus smiled and turned to go up the mountain.

The question for each of us: Are you willing to allow God to use your life to bring glory to Himself? Are you willing to let enough for today to be enough so that He can provide for tomorrow in a miraculous way? Will you grow in faith to the place where having nothing, but having God’s promise you have all you need?

Father, give us today the bread we need for today!

Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”