I Like Andrew

John 6:1-15

This story is one of those that after growing up in church, you just know. But just because you are familiar with a story does not mean you can’t continue to learn from it. So today, I thought I would just post the scripture with a few of my thoughts intertwined along the way. I would encourage you to track your thoughts and reactions as well… Don’t just read it, interact with the passage.

John 6 (English Standard Version)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

¹After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. ²And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. What have I seen Jesus do lately?… ³Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. ⁴Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. So there had to be a LOT of people around. ⁵Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, (Jesus paid attention) Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” ⁶He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. ⁷ Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” Very sensible answer, Philip. But really, how long have you hung out with Jesus? Does he really do very much that makes sense? Wait, how often do I expect Jesus to do something that makes sense? Or do I have a faith-based outlook on every situation? ⁸One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, ⁹“There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish (way to go Andrew! Starting to look outside the box! I like Andrew), but what are they for so many?” I think I’m more like Andrew, seeing something but not seeing the potential it has in Jesus’ hands…. ¹⁰Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. And that’s just the guys! ¹¹Jesus 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. ¹²And when they had eaten their fill, (just like that, Jesus does something amazing!) he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” (Interesting…) ¹³So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. ¹⁴When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!” ¹⁵Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. So what amazing thing is Jesus doing in my life? In your life? Do we see what he is doing? Do we have Philip vision or Andrew vision? Are we paying attention to the potential of what Jesus can do if we bring what we have to Jesus? Jesus is still Jesus. He still does amazing things! So do I really believe and live like I believe that?…