“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.” John 6:5&6
We don’t know his name, but we do know the little boy was among the crowd that gathered to hear Jesus teach. He bought a small lunch of five buns and two sardine-like fish. He must have overheard the conversation when Jesus, knowing exactly what was going to happen yet, asked His disciples the question anyway. “Where will we buy food for these people?” Philip quickly answered that it would take more than half a year’s wages to buy everyone a bite!
I can just imagine the scene. Tugging on disciple Andrew’s sleeve, the young boy says, “I have some food”, and holds out his small lunch. Andrew takes the lunch to Jesus, acknowledging that it certainly won’t go far. Yet Jesus receives the small offering and tells His disciples to have the crowd sit on the hillside. Then He blesses the little lunch, breaks it up and gives it to His disciples to hand out.
Can you imagine the little boys delight as his lunch is passed out yet it never runs out! That day five thousand people were fed and there were twelve baskets of leftovers!
I love this story because of the innocent, naïve, generous offering the little boy made to Jesus. It would have made more sense for him to find a shady spot and share his lunch with a friend. Yet when he overheard the need for food and knew he had some, he offered it, small as it was …. and an incredible miracle took place!
What is in Your hand today? A talent that has been dormant too long? Some resources that you could share? Some time to give? All around us there are needs of many kinds. We look at what we have to offer and it simply isn’t enough. It seems naïve to even offer our small token toward filling the need. Yet when we place what we have in the hands of Jesus, He blesses it and uses it to meet those needs. He truly performs miracles when we generously offer Him what is in our hands to give.
Lord God, Please help me not to shrink back and keep what I have to myself. Help me to have the courage to place my time, talents or resources in Your hands and watch what miracle You will do with my small offering. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Thought: Is there a need that tugs at your heart yet you feel what you have to offer is too small to mention? Ask the Lord to help you bring it forward, even when it seems to make little sense. He may just be waiting to do a miracle through you!
