MORE THAN ENOUGH
John 6:1-14
David BeckSedalia, Missouri
I know, this is a very familiar story that most of us remember from Sunday School. It’s found in all four Gospels. The Lord impressed it upon me by the Holy Spirit. This account was a huge miracle. One definition of a miracle is “supernatural intervention by God in the ordinary course of nature.” Some say we don’t see miracles anymore. If you are a Born Again Christian, look in a mirror and you will see a miracle! All of us were sentenced to die because of sin …BUT GOD!! He intervened in the person of Jesus Christ and that was forever changed for All who believe in that finished work of Calvary.
We see in Verse 2 “a great multitude followed Jesus and in V. 3 that Jesus sat on the mountain with his disciples, separate from the multitude. I thought of those who take their place in the heavenly places in Christ by faith. Those who walk with Jesus daily, So, who am I listening to? Who am I spending time with? Am I following to be in the crowd, or am I following Jesus to be with Him?
In V. 4 we read the Passover was near. This is no coincidence because Jesus is the Substance of God’s Passover! Not only is HE the ONE who would be more than enough food for this multitude …HE is the ONE whose sacrifice would be More than enough to provide for eternal life to all who believe on Him.
V. 5, Jesus sees this great multitude approaching and I do not believe He was at all surprised. He asks Philip where bread could be purchased to feed them. Yet, He himself knew what He would do. I also believe He knew what Philip’s answer would be. Philip realized the futility of this suggestion. So why did Jesus ask Him? I think He wanted Philip to know HIS OWN ATTITUDE. God will allow us to peer into that mirror and see an attitude, opinion, or interpretation that does not reflect the viewpoint of one who is wholly dependent on Christ.
The 200 denarii equaled about a year’s wages and was probably all the money they had, but not enough to solve this problem. There was such a great need before them and their resources were so small. How often do we face an imposing obstacle or a serious trial and it seems to consume us so that our faith may dwindle and even unbelief begins to creep in. Unbelief leads to doubt and fear: fear of failing, of letting others down, even doubting that God will answer or supply the need.
Mary Bodie wrote, “Philip saw the crowd, not the Christ.” Do we sometimes see the need or the demand and not the Supply? We have all these questions, and HE is the answer! We are so limited and HE is not! A preacher once said, “Are you impressed with the need, or are you impressed with God?” When did so much of Christendom get to the point that Jesus is not enough?
V. 9, Andrew has made a discovery. We may not have enough money, but this boy has his lunch. So Andrew’s suggestion shows he has doubt as well. We have gone from spending all of our money for bread that won’t even begin to be enough …to having something on hand that may feed a family or two. Oh, my! Don’t we come up with some of the greatest ideas!
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT), the Lord says, “MY thoughts are nothing like your thoughts. My ways are far beyond anything you can imagine.” We simply cannot limit God to our understanding or expectations. The Word of God is not bound and God is not bound. My wife will say, “You can’t put God in a box.” The Lord wants to move in ways to inspire you, put you in awe, cause you to be grateful, joyful, and to trust and love Him even more.
V. 10, notice Jesus really doesn’t answer Andrew’s question, but He most certainly responds. He says, “have them sit down,” get in position to receive, to be ministered to. This tells us to submit, wait, and to acknowledge HIS power, HIS authority, HIS ability, and HIS headship as opposed to our own or anyone else! We are to be expecting even before we see anything happen. A friend of mine says “do the next thing.” God wants us to trust Him to deliver us, and He also wants us to trust Him each step of the way. Don’t ignore or disregard the process. It is often during that time we can receive the greatest blessing and revelation from the Lord.
V. 11, “Jesus took …and gave thanks …” He did not say “Well, I wish there was more, but if this is all you can come up with, let’s give it a try.” A great example of being thankful in little, not just in much. Now notice … It is in HIS hands.
We have gone from “that each may have a little” – V. 7, to “as much as they wanted” – V. 11. All were given opportunity to partake; regardless of race, religion, gender, age, education, or class of society. No discrimination here! (God is no respecter of persons). All are welcome at the table of Jesus.
So, what happened? Everything changed when it was put IN HIS HANDS. And it still does …think of the change that takes place when something, or someone, is placed in the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In HIS hands …”a little” becomes “abundantly above all we could ask or think” …weakness becomes Strong in the power of HIS might …sickness turns into health …the impossible becomes possible “things that be not” become “things that are” …mourning turns into dancing …death becomes life, and life more abundant …a problem becomes a process as stumbling blocks become stepping stones and the most difficult experience brings the greatest revelations of truth!
Part 2 of “More Than Enough” will be in the next issue.
