Where Was the Feeding of the 5000
Proverbs 31 Online Bible Studies began the first study of 2017, and it is an AWESOME one. If you have participated before, most of the studies were books based on scripture. This study is an actual BIBLE STUDY of the 7 I AM statements in the Book of John by Lysa TerKeurst.
I AM the Bread of Life
The First I AM statement is, "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE." JOHN 6:35
But today, I had an "AHA" moment while studying. Today's study was on what happened right before Jesus told the crowds, "I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE," the feeding of the 5000. I'm sure you have all heard this story; for one, it's one of the few stories in all 4 Gospels.
There is ONE huge part I want YOU to understand today, but first, let me ask you a few questions!
Do you wonder how you can impact God's Kingdom where you are now?
Do you wonder how you, a young person, can do anything for God's Kingdom?
Do you wonder how you, a disabled mom at home, can do anything for God's Kingdom?
Do you wonder how you, a busy, hard-working father, can do anything for God's Kingdom?
Do you wonder how you, a retired older person, can do anything for God's Kingdom?
Let's read the verse that gave me my AHA moment today.
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."
John 6:8-9 (NIV)
3 Little Letters – BUT
Philip had already told Jesus it would take "eight months' wages" to feed all these people in the previous verse. Then Andrew decided to speak up and say something. He found a boy with some food. If Andrew had stopped there, before the but, we would all know that Andrew believed Jesus could do something miraculous with those 5 pieces of bread and 2 fish.
BUT!! Those 3 little letters.
But Andrew doubted how far it could go.
Jesus knew though what He could do with it!!! Jesus showed 5 small loaves of bread, and 2 fish could feed 5000.
A Little Boy's Lunch
Now to what I want to explain. The food was a little boy's lunch. When the little boy left home that morning, probably to follow the crowds, do you think he thought Jesus would use his little lunch to feed 5000 people?
NO!! But God did! I do not want to take away from Jesus's miracle here, but I want to look at this differently.
I began to think, why did the story say a little boy's lunch. Why couldn't there have been a woman, especially a mother with a newborn, who had brought everything but the kitchen sink? You know how those first-time mothers think they have to bring everything in the house to visit someone. Why wasn't it an older man following Jesus who had packed his lunch before leaving home for a long day's journey?
I believe Jesus wanted to show us 2 things here. The first point was the small amount of food could feed so many. Secondly, the part we rushed over, the little boy shared his lunch. If you have had children, you sometimes know that they do not want to share their toys and definitely not their macaroni and cheese or french fries when they are little. However, this little boy was willing to share ALL of his food with Jesus and all the people. The little boy did not doubt. The little boy wanted to help. The little boy wanted to serve. The little boy wanted to make a difference. The little boy believed.
No matter if you are a "little boy" or a big man, God can use you to feed His people, to serve His people, to help His people, to love His people.
Just because you are young, disabled, elderly, or busy, we can still and are supposed to act as this little boy did and serve God's people. God has put you where you are for a reason. Just like God placed that little boy in the middle of all those thousands of people with his lunch which would end up feeding 5000 with Jesus's help.
Remember Who is In Control
I'm going to be real and honest for a moment. There are days that I wonder why God decided at the age of 37 for me to be diagnosed with RA, then 3 weeks before I turn 40, be removed from the workplace. I sit and look at all the other parents and women working and enjoying life. I'm not going to lie and say that I'm not upset or jealous.
BUT I have to remember who is in control. Who knew me before I was formed in my mom's womb. Who knew the plans He had for me. Who knew that I would have this disease.
God Has a Plan
God has a plan for me, and GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU! We may not understand or see it now, but we will be able to look back one day and understand.
As I spend time reading and spending time in God's Word, I'm learning that we are only here for a short amount of time. We are working and learning on earth for something much bigger and much longer. Eternity is a lot longer than my few years here on Earth. I want to make a difference here so I can spend eternity there. I also want to make sure all my friends and family will be with me there in Heaven.
I'm going to work for God instead of man. I'm going to share what good things God has done for me. I'm going to share God's love. I'm going to do whatever I can from my small little place in JOCO. It may not be much, but if Jesus can use a "little boys" lunch to feed 5000, He can use me!
Will You Use What You Have
What about you? You can be a "little boy" wherever you are. God loves you, and God has wonderful plans for you! We have to have the faith and trust that we can only receive from God.
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray today for each person reading this who does not think they are capable, smart enough, or brave enough to step out with you. I pray they know that if God calls them to it, He will equip them. God doesn't call the equipped, and He equips the called. God will prepare you for what He has planned if you accept Him. I pray in Your Precious Name, Jesus, AMEN!!!!
Do you Need Some Cheerful Verses?
We all need to be more cheerful. I have designed a Printable with 7 Days of Cheerful Verses. You can print it out and enjoy the verses every day. There are even graphics you can share or save as wallpaper to look at all day.
Share your seeds and some cheerful verses with someone today!
Or you can check out the posts with each of the verses in more detail.
Source: https://jeaniebenson.com/2017/01/24/the-feeding-of-the-5000/
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