John 6:1-15
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Read John 6:1-15 imagining the scene as it unfolds.
Something incredible is happening in the weary land of Israel, and excitement is spreading. The news of Jesus’ miraculous power has reached far beyond Jerusalem and thousands of people have journeyed out to the countryside to see for themselves. As hunger begins to gnaw at the disciples, Jesus seizes an opportunity to help them look beyond their own physical needs and have compassion on the crowds around them.
“Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” The answer is obvious. There is nowhere to buy food and there are not enough resources to provide for such a large number of people. The disciples see only scarcity. What they haven’t realized is that there is no scarcity in the kingdom of God, and the embodiment of that kingdom is with them - right here in the middle of the need.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed when you think about all of the various needs in the world? Let that question sink in for a moment and then share honestly with Jesus about your thoughts and feelings.
Read John 6:1-15 again focusing on Andrew’s discovery.
We aren’t told how Andrew found the young boy among the teeming crowd, but it’s clear he had enough interaction with the child to know about his dinner plans. It’s almost comical to hear Andrew point out the boy’s meager provisions in the face of all the need, but for some reason Andrew shares the information with Jesus. And that is enough. Jesus takes the small offering, the only resource at hand, and applies the multiplying power of the kingdom of God.
That’s the power of the kingdom. It begins when with a small offering - like an act of compassion, a word of encouragement, a portion of our resources. But those small beginnings, given in the name of Jesus, contain the multiplying power and potential of the kingdom of God. And in the kingdom, there is always more than enough to go around.
Take a moment to be silent and receive your breath as a gift from God.
Now stop to think about the gifts God has given to you and spend a moment expressing gratitude.
From among all the gifts God has given you, what could you pass on to someone else today? What will you do about that?
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