The Smallest Gifts

There are moments in our life where God orchestrates situations that are outside of our control. These situations cause us to be brought into a position that immediately identifies our limitations. Instead of looking at these with fear, we should recognize the opportunity to be apart of what God is doing. Let us examine the below passage and see a situation in God’s control but outside of man’s. Let’s see a situation where God through action declares “I AM” and we get the opportunity to be apart of.

“5 So Jesus, after raising His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread so that these people may eat?” 6 But He was saying this only to test him, for He Himself knew what He intended to do. 7 Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not enough for them, for each to receive just a little!” 8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish; but what are these for so many people?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people recline to eat.” Now there was plenty of grass in the place. So the men reclined, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and after giving thanks He distributed them to those who were reclining; likewise also of the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, He said to His disciples, “Gather up the leftover pieces so that nothing will be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with pieces 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.” 

John 6:5-14

Most people who read this passage are struck by the fact that Jesus was able to take such a small gift, and distributed enough that not only was everyone fed, but there was enough to fill twelve baskets. While this is indeed a miracle worth studying, today I want to focus on someone who isn’t even named in this passage.

  It is already stated that there was a large crowd gathering around Jesus, five thousand men to be exact but this does not include the women and children there as well. Philip has already remarked that two hundred denarii would not buy enough food to feed them all. So it seems almost laughable when Andrew mentions to Jesus that a young boy has five loaves of bread and two fish. In such a large gathering, this amount of food would barely feed five people let alone five thousand! And yet, we see this young boy offering all that he has, however small it may be. This child had no clue what would happen, he had no idea that Jesus was already aware of what he would do and how his offering would be used to show the glory of God. He simply wanted to offer what he had in service to Jesus. This is a moment where God brings about a situation that requires outside of man’s capabilities to answer. All we need to do is offer up our inadequate services and watch His wonders.

 This young boy’s small gift led there to be more than enough food to feed the crowd. He simply gave what he had and allowed God to provide the rest. This young boy stands as an example for us today. We may not have much to offer, either physically or financially, and yet when we offer it to God with pure intentions; we are able to see how God turns it into a miracle. This can be a reminder for us today that God uses us for more than we can do on our own. So when asked, we need to step up and allow Him to work.

 Seek the truth and encourage one another,

 Alex