“Are you a Philip?“
What Bible story comes to mind when you are reminded of a young boy with 5 loaves of bread and 2 small fish? Whether you read the Bible often or just recall childhood stories, you are probably a bit familiar with Jesus multiplying the fish and bread to feed a large crowd of people.
The book of John is one of four Gospels that holds this familiar story. I had heard the story a zillion times and felt confident there was nothing new to be learned. My thoughts boasted in this until an unfamiliar verse was noticed…
An insanely large group of people had arrived to hear Jesus speak and much like us today, their stomachs began to wonder if dinner would be provided. As the disciples frantically approached Jesus to remind Him of the day drawing near, the number of people present and the lack of resources to provide, Jesus casually asks Philip this, “Where should we buy bread for these people to eat?” John 6:5.
I love how nonchalant and witty Jesus can be in stories like this. Verse 6 goes on to say, “He (Jesus) asked this only to test him (Philip), for He already had in mind what He was going to do.”
I was intrigued by Jesus’ question and wondered why He would test Philip like this? I decided to ask my husband for his thoughts and to my surprise he wittingly and nonchalantly replied with this idea…” Jesus knew Philip and his disciples knew the Old Testament stories, they knew God provided manna(bread) for the people in the desert long ago. He wanted to test his faith to remind him of who He was…who His Father was…God. He needed Philip to dig deep and trust that the need would be provided just as God did for so many so long ago.”
Well, Matt Bridges, you have impressed me. What a great perspective!
As I considered his spin on this, a new revelation pierced my heart from this familiar story. I, too, needed to be reminded of this. I believe Jesus is the Son of God and I believe in the stories from The Bible, but sometimes I forget that the same Father that provided, guided, protected, and answered His children is the same Father that hears my prayers. We can become so calloused with the miracles written in God’s Word that we forget the power of Jesus still stands and the gift of The Holy Spirit has been given.
So often, I am a ‘Philip’ in the story of life…. Philip’s reply to Jesus’ question was, “It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”
Philip completely missed the test, much like I do when I feel a prompting from The Lord. Sometimes, I can only focus on what’s before me and remain in a fixed state of mind, but I continually hear The Lord reminding me, “I am a creative God, Adrienne, just trust me with the unknown.”
If you feel like a ‘Philip’ and are carrying doubt, refresh your mindset with this story. Consider how powerful Jesus is…he literally took 5 small loaves of bread and 2 tiny fish and multiplied with His hands to feed over 5,000 people. That same power supply is available to us; we just have to believe. Thank you Lord, for Your stories that were written so long ago that still relate to us.
