Time for Philip - Ruminating in the Word of God

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 6:5-6,

"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?' He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do."

Jesus used a very practical problem of logistics for Philip's benefit (and through John's accounting of it, all of us as well). Thousands began to show up to see Jesus, and I gather that on the far side of the sea on a mountainside, it may have been a somewhat remote area. These people would need to eat. Jesus turned to Philip and asked him where they should get food to feed all these people. 

Although by this time the disciples had experienced firsthand the miracles of Jesus, I have to think the last thought anyone would have would be the miracle Jesus was about to perform. Philip observed that it would take more than a half year's wages to give everyone just a bite of bread.

With five loaves of bread and two small fish, Jesus fed everyone with twelve baskets left over (with God there is always an abundance!) An endless supply of food!

The point of Jesus asking Philip the question was to help him grow in his faith and help him understand both the nature of who he was and what it was he came to do. It really is a touching view into the importance Jesus placed on developing his disciples. He never lost sight of caring for and facilitating the growth of his followers.

In the midst of what might have appeared to be a giant problem Jesus took the time and interest in Philip. And, so he does with us as well today. In what ways do you think he might be working in your life for your spiritual growth and faith in him?

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!

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