Jesus, The Master of Quantity

John 6: 5 – 13 (NIV): 5 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?" 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. 7 Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" 8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, 9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" 10 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. 12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." 13 So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

Jesus had compassion on the huge crowd that had come out into the wilderness to hear and see him. He wanted to feed them, but there was no way he and his disciples could afford such a feast. But Jesus is supernatural. He is the master of quantity. He can take a crumb and turn it into a banquet. He is the God of more than enough. Notice there were 12 baskets of bread left-over after everyone had eaten his fill.

    The boy had five barley loaves and two small fish. This was a typical meal for a poor person. It wasn’t even wheat bread. But he gave it all to Jesus. If we will give him what we have, he will do the rest. God is more interested in our availability than our ability.

    This was a sacrifice for the boy, he gave up his supper, but Jesus turned his sacrifice into something great. We all have something we can bring to God; some talent or ability or gift. When we make a sacrifice to God we are showing him that we love him and that he is most important in our lives.

    Not only this, but we are never too young or old or rich or poor to be used of God. He can use us no matter where we find ourselves. And there is no greater joy than to allow God to use us for his purposes and for his Kingdom. It is a blessing to be a blessing to others. Give yourself to God and feel the joy that brings.