O Come to the Altar, Know His Love, Praise to the Most High, Here’s My Life, I Exalt Thee

Can you recall a childhood memory that has helped empower you as an older person today? How has that experience shaped the kind of person that you are at school, work, home, as a citizen of your country, or as a church member?

After these things Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (or Tiberias). ² A large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. ³ Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. ⁴ Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. ⁵ Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, *said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat?” ⁶ This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. ⁷ Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, for everyone to receive a little.” ⁸ One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, *said to Him, ⁹ “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these for so many people?” ¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men at down, in number about five thousand. ¹¹ 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. ¹² When they were filled, He *said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments so that nothing will be lost.” ¹³ 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. ¹⁴ 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.”

Did you know that there are only two miracles of Jesus that are recorded in all four gospel accounts? One of them was the resurrection and the other one was the multiplication of loaves and fish to feed five thousand men (plus probably thousands more of women and children) who followed Jesus. This tells us that this narrative is very, very important. The account that we will investigate today was written by John. He was the last among the gospel writers to do so, and there are details here that only John captures in his narrative. Perhaps, the thought that Jesus wants to use you mightily seems overwhelming and totally unrealistic for us. So, like keen-eyed detectives, let us dissect with a fresh perspective what the passage teaches us on how Jesus can use us mightily.

TRUST (John 6:1-7)

The location that Jesus chose to perform this miracle was on a mountain in Bethsaida (as Luke details in his account of the same event). It was a remote location where resources were not easily accessible, and this shows us that Jesus was intentional in what He wanted the disciples to learn from the miracle He was about to do. It was also logical for Jesus to involve Philip (v.5) because he was a local from Bethsaida. Jesus did this to test Philip, not so that Philip can fail, but so that his faith will be examined and stretched. Jesus asked Philip even if He already knew what Philip’s answer was going to be (v.6). Unfortunately, Philip’s response showed that he failed the test (v.7). He did not look at the situation with eyes of faith! He failed to trust Jesus to be able to do the impossible. Are you going through a test of faith today? Whatever it may be, we need to put our trust in Jesus and not in our own ability or resources to solve the problem. When we do that, our test can become our testimony!

GIVE (John 6:8-9)

Another unique detail that John includes in his account of the feeding of the five thousand is Andrew’s involvement in the event.  Andrew is shown in the gospels as someone who creates opportunities to experience Jesus. He was the one who introduced his brother, Peter, to Jesus (John 1:40-42). Although less known than Peter, Andrew plays a critical role in bringing people to Jesus. Do we help create environments for people to come to know Jesus? As parents, what opportunities do we create for our children to know the Lord (Psalm 78:4-7)? An example would be asking your children to pray for a need or a request, and when they see how God answers their prayers, they will learn to put their trust in God.

Andrew brings a young boy (around 7 years old) to Jesus, and this lad gave his small and very simple lunch to Jesus — five barley loaves (what the poor ate) and two small fish (v. 8-9). This amount of food was barely enough for the boy and certainly was not enough to feed everyone! Yet Andrew brings the lad to Jesus, and the young boy gives all that he had to Him. Do you have excuses for not giving to the Lord? If you feel that you don’t have enough to give, just give your best. Jesus will make it more than enough because His power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Perhaps you are thinking, “I’m not good enough”. None of us are qualified to do great things for God apart from Christ. But when we step forward and do our best, Jesus will work in and through you! “God can do a lot with your little”! (Miles Soriano). As an example, take that first small step towards leading a Dgroup! Pray for those you want to invite to join your Dgroup. Many Filipinos have a “scarcity mentality” — we feel we don’t have enough, so we want to hold on to what we have instead of giving it away. That may be your excuse for not giving, you think… “I want to keep it for myself”. Don’t do it, because you’ll miss out on Jesus’ mighty work. God is the creator; He doesn’t need anyone to work His will. “But when He gives us an opportunity to take part, it is a blessing and a privilege” (Pope). Maybe God is even calling you to give your finances. If God is asking you to give, are you willing to give? He may be dealing with your heart because you keep on holding on to your finances. God owns everything, and if He asks us to give from what He already owns, we should open our clenched-up fists and give generously of our time and resources. Then we’ll be ready to receive what God wants to give so that we can “give pa more”!

WATCH (John 6:10-14)

As we give like the young boy gave to Jesus, we will be able to watch Jesus do great things. Five thousand men got fed until they had their fill because Jesus multiplied the fish and loaves to at least 50,000 loaves and 20,000 fish worth about 2M pesos (v. 10-11)! There was no rational way that this could happen — Jesus did it! They even had leftovers because God is able to do far more abundantly beyond what we can even ask for (Ephesians 3:20). Jesus instructed His disciples to gather the leftovers so nothing will be wasted (v. 12-13). “The blessing of resources, talents, influence and position that God gave us, all these things should be used for God and to bless others” (JB Balazo). Be faithful in doing your best in what God has given you to do TODAY.

The main focus of the story is Jesus (v. 14). The people realized He was the Prophet prophesied by Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15). Jesus uses us mightily for HIS glory!

May He do even more as we trust, give and watch!

Pray for Jesus to do mighty things in our lifetime through ordinary people like us.

Teach others to know how to trust in Jesus for their salvation, and for the great things He wants to accomplish through them.

Testify about the goodness and greatness of Jesus in your own life this week!

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• For legislators to promote and support bills and laws aligned with God’s Word.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented.

• Praise God that the rest of the living Israeli hostages have been restored to their families safely! Continue to pray that even all the dead hostages will be returned to their families for burial.

• For Israel’s war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory. For Jewish people worldwide who are experiencing a surge of antisemitism; may this lead them to the Messiah, Jesus as they turn to God for help and comfort.

• For protection of Iranian, Syrian and Lebanese Christians and other minorities, and freedom from oppression. Pray for the gospel to spread rapidly throughout their region.

• Pray for persecuted Christians in Africa — many have been beheaded or murdered; earnestly seek God’s intervention to stop the bloodshed. Pray for freedom from oppression, that God’s word and His people bring them comfort and hope.

• Earthquake victims in northern Cebu, Davao Oriental. Seek God’s mercy upon our land. May many more Filipinos turn to Jesus!

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expand worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

“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.”