Provision

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, "Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. (John 6:8-13)

Jesus always stands ready to provide. His has unlimited resources, infinite power, and limitless love. His providence extends to the multitude - this is “common grace,” defined by Wayne Grudem as “the grace of God by which he gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation” (Systematic Theology, p. 657). And his grace extends to his followers - it’s not a coincidence that the number of baskets of leftovers equaled the number of disciples. Without a word, Jesus told the Twelve that he was their provider, too.

This Sunday, Lord willing, we’ll take a look at another familiar story: Jesus walking on the water. This time, the disciples are the only audience. No big crowds, just Jesus and his closest followers, twelve men who’ve given up everything to be with him. Take some time to read and meditate on John 6:16-21 (if you have time, read the parallel narratives in Matthew 14 and Mark 6). What did Jesus communicate to his disciples through this miracle? What is he saying to you and me?

If you serve this Jesus, you have a provider - you have a Savior - “who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Give thanks to him for his abundant, lavish provision for you, in this life and in the life to come.

Testing

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." (John 6:5-7)

Jesus did everything deliberately and purposefully. Even as he was preparing to meet the physical needs of thousands of people, Jesus saw a need in Philip, and he was prepared to meet it, too.

We first met Philip in the first chapter of John’s account, in verses 43-46. Philip was chosen by Jesus to be one of his disciples, and his testimony was pivotal in Nathanael’s coming to Jesus. Undoubtedly, Philip had true saving faith. But he was a prototypical disciple, wasn’t he? Brimming with confidence with Jesus at times, but often filled with doubts and uncertainty. In chapter fourteen, Jesus chides Philip, along with “doubting” Thomas:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” (John 14:1-10)

Philip needed to know Jesus. This was the essence of the test that Jesus had prepared for him. Testing is an essential part of every disciple’s formation. Read James 1:2-3. The word “trials” in this passage comes from the same root word as “test” in John 6:6. What benefits does the disciple derive from testing? Now read 1 Peter 4:12-14. What is the intended result of our trials and testing?

We’re just like Philip. We need to know Jesus; we need to know that he is able; and we need testing. We’ll never be everything that God intends for us to be without it.

Real Life - Part 2

“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44).

These words of Jesus summarize his indictment of the Jewish leaders. It’s a question, but it’s a rhetorical one. What he’s saying is this: “You can’t believe - you can’t have saving faith and real life - if you seek man’s glory instead of God’s glory.” This isn’t some trivial, inconsequential matter; your eternal destiny hangs in the balance.

God takes his glory very seriously. Read Isaiah 48:9-11 and feel the weight of God’s words. Read Isaiah 43:6-7 and ponder the reason that you exist. Read Revelation 4:11 and join in the worship around God’s throne. Read Romans 1:23 and 3:23 and consider the root of all sin and sinfulness. Read 1 Corinthians 10:31 and 1 Peter 4:10-12 and think about the proper motivation behind all actions and exercising of gifts.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. God’s glory, which includes everything revealed about him - his name, his holiness, his mighty power, his saving love in Jesus Christ, his mercy, his grace, and his righteousness - is the center of his universe and should be the center of ours. The chief end of all human existence, according to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, is to bring glory to God and enjoy him forever. We live to praise, worship, magnify, and bring glory to God.

As you prepare your heart for this Sunday, ask God to reveal the desires and inclinations of your heart that are motivated by the desire for glory from others, and not from and to him. Then, as you read John 6:1-15, ask God to display the glory of Christ in such a way that your heart is transformed and your whole being is filled with a passion for his glory.

Real Life - Part 1

Can I first apologize for my failure to get these posts out on time. I have found this harder to keep up with than I thought. Thank you for your patience.

On Sunday, Kenny reminded us that there are a lot of wrong places to find life, and that true life is only found in Christ. Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). So Jesus said that his primary reason for coming was to bring life. That certainly includes eternal life, or life after death, but it seems to me that it must mean more than just that. What then, is abundant life?

Read the following passages of scripture that speak to the quality of life we might expect:

John 10:10
John 15:17-21
Gal 5:22-23
Eph 3:14-21
1 Pet 4:12

What do these passages indicate about the quality of life we might expect as Christ-followers?
What does the abundant life include?
What does Christ not promise as a part of the abundant life?
Would you characterize your life as abundant?
In what areas of your life do you feel that you are experiencing the abundant life?
In what areas of your life do you feel that you are not experiencing the abundant life?

In my experience, there are two primary reasons that I can feel I am lacking the abundant life. The first is that I perceive the abundant life incorrectly, that I assume God owes me something that he hasn't promised, or in a way he hasn't promised. For example, he promises to supply all my needs. Well maybe at times I am perceiving something as a need that isn't yet a need or he has supplied it in a way that I am not willing to take advantage of. The second reason, is because I am trying to find the abundant life in the wrong place. I am trying to find it in my job, or my family, or recreation, or food, or things -- but not in Christ.

Spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal areas of your life that he wants to invade to fill and to make abundant. Be willing to hear from him today.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
2 Cor 3:18