He Sees Ahead

NEXT PREVIOUS

PODCAST

May 7th, 2012

I have heard it said that beginning chess players can only think three moves ahead while top-ranked masters, such as the late Bobby Fischer, can think all the way through to the end of the match.

When faced with the overwhelming problem of feeding a hungry crowd of 5,000, Jesus turned to Phillip. Phillip came from Bethsaida, and would know the resources of that local area. Jesus knew exactly what his next move was going to be, but he posed a “test question” for Phillip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (v.5). Phillip calculated the cost rather than considering the power of the One who asked.

Another disciple, Andrew, saw the hungry crowd and, peeking into the knapsack of a boy with five small loaves and two fish, asked, “How far will they go among so many?” (v. 9). Andrew revealed his limited grasp of the resources that were near to him, but Jesus already knew what the outcome would be.

Jesus still is calling for us to bring what we have to him and trust him for the outcome.