Not very many people enjoy tests. Tests are not just to find out how much we know, but they help to teach us how we can use what we know. Tests are not just something for school days; they are something God uses as well.
Although our story today is about the disciples of Jesus being tested - and they didn't do too well! - we will be able to learn a very important lesson from what Jesus taught them.
"A great crowd of people followed Jesus because they saw the miraculous signs He had performed on the sick. Then Jesus went up on the hillside and sat down with His disciples...
"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." (verses 2-6.)
The disciples saw the great crowd of people - "about five thousand of them" (verse 10.) - and knew no way of providing for such a need. Philip answered Him, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" Andrew said, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" (verses 7-8.)
The disciples were not doing too well in their test! So, how were they going to cope with far greater demands when Jesus would send them out to meet the spiritual need of the world? (Matthew 28:19-20.) These disciples had still much to learn about serving the Lord.
Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Then Jesus gave thanks to God for the boy's lunch "and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted." (verse 11.) Now the disciples were meeting the great need - but not by doing a miracle. All they were doing was bringing the food to the people so that they could enjoy the miracle Jesus had done for them.
Today YOU can enjoy the miracle that Jesus has done for you!
Are you ready to accept that Jesus has already done the miracle that can take away your hunger for sin - sin that not only is tormenting your life now, but is also going to destroy your soul eternally by taking you down to Hell.(Revelation 20:10-15.)
The GOOD NEWS today is that right now you can enjoy the results of the miracle that Jesus, God's Son, has "finished" for you. (John 19:30 & Hebrews 10:9-14.) He came down from Heaven, died for your sins, and arose again to be able to offer you His forgiveness today. Because of that miracle it is possible for you to enjoy knowing the peace of having your sins forgiven, and of becoming a true child of God. (Romans 5:1-11 & 1st John 3:1-3.)
Will you trust the Lord Jesus Christ's love and power to do this for you?
If you want to be delivered from the terrible hunger and craving for sin you only have to put your trust in Jesus, God's Son, and in the wonderful miracle He did for you.
That day the 5,000 were fed the disciples "filled twelve baskets" with what was left over. (verses 12-13.) You see, there was more than enough for all who wanted to enjoy the miracle - and Jesus has done more than enough to meet the need of your sin.
Read about the disciples "test" in John's Gospel chapter 6, verses 1-13.
John Nixon, Cork, Ireland. P31HD98. Contact: jnixonj@gmail.com
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