The Power Of Christ

John 6:1-14
Length: 20:33

This is a message given on July 26, 2009 at the Bowdertown United Methodist Church.

In our Scripture lesson this morning we learn that the Jewish Passover Feast was near. This marks the transition of Jesus’ second and third year of ministry. It also explains partially why there were such large crowds following Him to Jerusalem.

As they pass through villages more and more people begin to follow. Jesus looks around and sees the great crowd, so he asks Philip where they can buy food for all of these people.

Why did He ask Philip this? Well, Phillip was probably in charge of the logistical aspect of Jesus’ ministry from an earthly perspective. We would say he was like the administrative assistant. He was a facts and figure kind of guy.

So Jesus asks Him to figure it out. Now, Jesus already knew the answer so this was a test for Philip. Jesus had a particular lesson in mind to teach Philip. Philip responds, “200 denarii” or about eight months wages.

It was late in the day, probably close to supper time, in a remote area. Of course, eating in those days was not an easy task like it is today. There were no fast food places to stop at. There were no microwaves or instant meals like we have today.

Now remember, from our Scripture last week. The disciples are tired and haven’t eaten either. When Jesus tells the disciples to feed the crowd, Judas probably cringed. Since he was the keeper of the money and wanted to keep as much money to himself.

Feeding 5,000 men (there were also women and children in the crowd, which would boost the number to maybe 20,000 people) would pretty much empty their money bag. But Jesus sends them out into the crowd to see what food they have available.

They find a boy who has five loaves of bread and two small fish. The bread is not like ours. More than likely it was a flat barley loaf, about 4 inches round. The fish were probably small fish like canned Sardines.

Jesus instructs the disciples to have the crowd sit down on the grass in groups of fifties and hundreds so the food can be distributed in an orderly manner, making sure everyone got something.

Jesus looks to heaven and gives thanks for the food and the food was distributed to all. The hunger of everyone in the crowd was completely satisfied. After the meal was over, the disciples collected the leftovers, which were12 baskets in all.

What an amazing and wonderful story of the power of God. He provides food for His followers. But as usual, there is a point to this story and I want to focus on that point from Philips perspective.

We know Philip was a leader. Jesus picked him to be one of the twelve. We know that he was a student of the Old Testament and we know that he was a faithful man. Even though he sometimes let logic get in the way of his faith as we read in our scripture this morning.

The question Jesus asked Philip was basically, “How do you propose to feed all these people?” Philip jumps into action and starts counting and calculating. Every way he figures it, he comes up with the same answer. It can’t be done.

Philip was there when Jesus turned the water in to wine. Philip had seen the numerous healings and miracles that Jesus had done. Instead of saying, “I don’t know how you’re going to do it, but I know you will Lord” Philip said “It can’t be done.”

This was a true test for Philip to look into himself and bring his faith to the forefront. Like Philip we don’t have all the answers. As much as we try and as much as we calculate things, we don’t always know.

That is where our faith needs to kick in. We know that God will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). We shouldn’t focus on material or earthly matters. Instead we should be focusing on heavenly matters and glorifying God.

An essential element of leadership is a sense of vision and this is especially true for Christians. Philip was focused on earthly things and was overwhelmed at the task that Jesus gave him. The reality of the facts and data bouncing around in his brain, said “It can’t be done.”

He was so focused on the calculations and thought process that he completely missed the opportunity to see God’s hand at work. The power of Christ had escaped his thinking. Philip’s rationality took precedence over his faith.

Andrew brought the little boy with the bread and fish to Jesus. Andrew wasn’t too sure about how Jesus was going to feed everyone, but at least he had a little faith by bringing the boy and saying, “Here’s what we have Lord, what’s next?”

Philip lost the opportunity to have his faith rewarded while the action of Andrew was honored. Jesus taught in Matthew 17:20, “If you have faith as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”

Philip needed to learn that lesson. Everything Jesus was doing seemed impossible to Philip. He just couldn’t calculate it out. He needed to set aside his materialistic, practical, and calculative ways and learn to see the miraculous ways of God.

How may of us today need to learn that same lesson. We all face struggles in our lives. We think things just can’t work out. The situation is impossible. But we often forget the power of Christ. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Let the power of Christ strengthen you this week. Ask Him for it. Tell him you have no idea how to figure out the trouble surrounding you and let Him be honored and glorified through your life.
Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You this morning for Your word to us. We just have scratched the surface of many things, but, Lord, we pray that You'll teach us by Your Spirit. Seal these things in our
hearts. Teach us to obey.

Send us tests of trust, send us tests that are beyond our trust and then show us Your power that our trust may move just that much further ahead, Lord. These things we pray in His name, Amen.