Jesus is in the business of turning what we have into enough. All we have to do is offer it up to Him and then sit in His presence.
Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had performed by healing the sick. Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Festival was near.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the sign Jesus performed, they began to say, “Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself.
One of Jesus’ most famous miracles is the feeding of the five thousand.
Jesus tests the disciples by asking them where they will buy bread so that all of the people can eat. The term “test” is used because Jesus already knew what He was going to do in the situation but wanted to give the disciples an opportunity to build their faith. Andrew, one of the twelve, came back with five loaves of bread and two fish he found from a young boy. Jesus had the people sit down in the grassy field, gave thanks over the food, and began to hand out the fish and bread. Everyone was able to eat until they were full, and the disciples collected twelve baskets of leftovers.
This miracle is one that is quite striking with many people. It’s not often that we can report of anyone else who is able to do a miracle like this other than Jesus, and this story is a wonderful reminder of the authority of Christ. However, to completely understand the fullness of this miracle, we need to see what led up to it.
In this story, there seems to be a strong sense of offering what is available and sitting in the presence of Jesus.
Andrew initiates these themes by searching the crowd and finding some food to offer Jesus. There is a sense of doubt in Andrew’s offering; he asks the Lord what it even measures up to with there being so many people. And even though Andrew had doubt and concern, he demonstrates an important concept; offering what we have to Jesus. Maybe we don’t feel like it’s much, but the act of surrender that takes place when we lay all we have at the feet of Jesus is huge.
And then we see another theme among the crowd. Jesus commands, “Have the people sit down” and they do. First let’s notice that John is sure to mention that there was plenty of grass in the place they were in to sit down, enough space for all of the people wanting to witness a miracle from Jesus. This strikes me for two reasons…
First, Jesus invites the people to sit down in His presence, and there is enough space for all. No one was left out of being able to witness a miracle from Jesus or simply be near Him. Everyone was invited, welcomed, and there was space for them all. The crowd obeyed Jesus and sat down. Before the miracle occurred, they sat in the presence of Jesus.
Second, the five loaves of bread and two fish were enough for everyone to eat until they were full, and then an abundance more. Jesus took what was able to be offered, and multiplied it beyond anyone’s expectation.
The order of these events in particular holds great significance. The people first offered what they had and sat in the company of Jesus, and then witnessed the miracle. We must be obedient for Jesus to take what we have and make a miracle out of it. We need to be present with Jesus to witness and be included in His miracles.
As we continue into this new year, think on these questions:
What are your loaves and fish? What do you have to offer the Lord?
When was the last time you sat in His presence?
New years are full of new opportunities; make this the year that you offer all you have to the Lord and see how He uses that to fill you and bless you beyond all measure.
This past year left many of us with broken pieces, and we may feel that we don’t have much to offer. We’ve lost jobs, loved ones, opportunities, feelings of normalcy; and we’re left in the aftermath.
However, I encourage you to muster the courage to gather what you have, sit in the presence of the Lord, and offer Him your handful of whatever you may be left with. I promise you that this act of obedience and faith will not go unnoticed.
We serve a God who is in the business of turning what we have into enough.
We simply have to be willing to offer what we have to Him.
And then to sit it in His presence waiting with expectation for Him to do His work.
Thank you for allowing us to serve and encourage you today. If “Jesus Turns What We Have into Enough” was encouraging or insightful for you in any way, please let us know and consider sharing “Jesus Turns What We Have into Enough” with someone else.
Author:
Hello, friends! My name is Haleigh! I am studying Pastoral Ministry at Bethel University. One of the most prominent passions in my life is women’s ministry. I have such a heart for women and helping them see how God created us for such an intentional purpose. Read more of my writing here.
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