Bible Reading: 1 Chronicles 4, 5, 6; John 6:1-24
“When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat. And this he said to prove him for he himself knew what he would do.” – John 6:5-6 (KJV)
We have at some time in life come to a point where it appears that all available solution over problems of life have been exhausted. Jesus Christ is the Master of all circumstances of life and nothing takes him unawares. The multitude was drawn to Jesus as a result of the miracles they witnessed. At this Jesus asks Philip where they would buy bread for the great company. This suggests to me that Christ recognises that humans could be exhausted and would thus need physical food to replenish himself. Also, Jesus does not only concentrate on the spiritual needs of the people at the expense of the physical needs of His guest. This consideration provokes the question He puts to Philip: “When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, whence shall we buy bread that these may eat” – John 6:5 (KJV).
In the human calculation, Philip, just like many of us today, had reduced the matter to human effort and thus he took off his eyes away from the miracle worker who is right before him. One would have thought that Philip would reply like Ezekiel of old when God asks of the dry bones whether it could live. “And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O LORD God, thou knowest” – Ezek. 37:3 (KJV). Philip also could have followed this pattern but he failed. Verse 6 helps us to see that Jesus Christ has in His heart already a solution which could only be unlocked through submission.
Folks, since your efforts cannot sufficiently meet your needs, then you should humbly hand it over to God. Jesus eventually stepped into the situation and there was a great testimony. Do not fret over what you are going through now, Christ knows what to do, just allow Him into it. Only those who follow His instructions would have the privilege to gather up fragments. Prepare for your own testimony.
Prayer Point: Dear Lord, I receive grace to allow Your counsel to prevail over life situations in Jesus name.
Rev. Julius Oluwole