There was a boy in the Bible, who didn’t have much to offer, though he shows us how to live a miraculous life. He only had two loaves of bread and five fish. What could Jesus possibly do with something so small? Some of you may know the story of the feeding of the 5000, but if not, you can read it here in John 6.
This is a story of supernatural multiplication, of God taking something so small and miraculously expanding and growing its impact. This young boy moved into the realm of multiplication as he opened himself up to a supernatural God. Each of us can live that miraculous life of purpose that impacts the world, through God’s supernatural power. There are four key elements for this to become our reality.
- The Kingdom mindset
- Generosity
- Trust
- Abundance to bless
1. Kingdom mindset vs Earthly mindset
The disciples, along with the vast crowd, had witnessed Jesus perform miraculous acts before. However, when the need for food arose, it appeared that their perspective on the supernatural had momentarily slipped away. They seemed to have forgotten that they were in the presence of the living God, despite having witnessed Jesus’ remarkable healings. They hadn’t fully grasped that He was both available and willing to perform a miracle of multiplication.
One of the disciples, perhaps considering the substantial cost, pointed out that providing food for such a multitude would require a vast sum of money. The others may have already scoured the crowd in search of food and had only found one boy with a small amount.
The question arises: Why didn’t anyone simply ask Jesus to provide the food? Why didn’t the disciples recognize Jesus’ test and respond by saying, “We know you can do this; please provide the food”? It’s a question that prompts reflection on how we might have reacted in a similar situation.
We must lift our gaze above earthly concerns. Instead of fixating on our limitations, we should fix our eyes on Him. We need to transition from relying solely on human problem-solving to seeking divine guidance and provision.
Consider your current circumstances – is there a moment when you feel like you have no solution? Are there challenges in your finances, time management, or utilizing your talents? If you’re honest with yourself, do you sometimes consider yourself a Christ-follower but fail to include God in the equation when facing such situations?
2. Generosity Mindset vs Selfish Mindset
In this story, we encounter a boy who displayed a willingness to offer what he had. Whether he believed his food could be multiplied or simply had a generous spirit, he stepped forward from the crowd. Can we truly believe that no one else in that vast assembly had any food except for him? It’s quite possible that he was the only one willing to share.
You might find yourself in a similar situation, where you’re the one among many, perhaps even among thousands, with a prompting from God in your heart. Don’t hesitate! You never know what miraculous outcome awaits on the other side of your generosity.
What are you withholding from Christ? Is it your time, your talents, your financial resources, or even some provisions in your pantry? While you could enjoy your two fish and five loaves in the comfort of your family circle, keeping them close and secure for those you deem most deserving, what if these offerings could play a role in an astonishing and miraculous story?
Don’t miss out on the miracles God has in store for your life because fear-driven selfishness has taken the place of faith-filled generosity. Craig Roberts wisely said, “Once you begin operating in generosity, you are well on your way to living the miraculous life of purpose God has for you.
3. Simple Trust vs Constant Anxiety
Next, Jesus instructs everyone to sit down in preparation for the meal and offers thanks.
Have you ever wondered why we say grace before meals? It serves as a reminder that God is the ultimate provider. It’s not our job, our entrepreneurial abilities, or our savings that sustain us – it’s God. This is precisely why we teach our children to say grace, instilling in them a faith-filled heart that acknowledges God’s provision over our lives.
Notice how Jesus readies the scene for the miracle. He gathers everyone to sit down. It’s a reminder that you often have to take that initial step before anything can be multiplied to witness God’s work in action. Living out the Christian faith inevitably involves taking faith-filled steps into the unknown. Without these steps, trust remains dormant. So, if you’re someone who craves control, meticulously arranges all your plans, you’ll need to ask God for the strength to trust, to shed fear and anxiety, and to step out, regardless of the magnitude of the endeavor.
Afterward, Jesus distributes the multiplied food. Can you imagine the atmosphere at that moment? Was it tinged with electric excitement, marked by utter disbelief, or dismissed as mere coincidence? No, it was the manifestation of God’s raw power.
Don’t allow your reliance on human intellect to cause you to miss out on the miraculous. Don’t dismiss extraordinary occurrences as mere “coincidences.” God has the capacity to multiply anything He chooses, whether it’s joy, love, patience, physical resources, or financial blessings – all for the advancement of His Kingdom. However, God also respects our free will and doesn’t impose Himself upon us. He gently nudges, extends His hand, and calls us, but the final choice is ours to make.
See: Saving you from an ineffective life
4. Abundance to bless vs hoarding for the future
Next, in John 6:12 we observe that there were abundant leftovers. Now, one might wonder why Jesus chose to do this. Couldn’t He have simply provided the exact amount needed?
There are two possible reasons for this:
Firstly, similar to how the Israelites in Egypt collected more manna from Heaven than necessary in Exodus 16, people often struggle to fully trust that God is their ultimate provider. They sometimes doubt His ability to supply beyond their immediate needs. Consequently, when the food was distributed, they took more than they could consume, leading to wastage scattered on the grass around them. This raises a poignant question: How frequently do we, driven by anxiety, hoard resources and blessings, fearing scarcity?
Secondly, God wanted to convey a profound message: He doesn’t merely offer sufficiency; He provides an abundance of resources, talents, and gifts. In His Kingdom, there is perpetual surplus, always more to be shared, given, and used to display love. This abundance serves the purpose of advancing His Kingdom.
Without a Kingdom mindset, one risks adopting the perspective of individuals like John D. Rockefeller, one of history’s wealthiest figures, who, when asked, “How much money is enough money?” replied, “Just a little bit more.” Instead, we are encouraged to become abundant givers, sharing from the little we have. Learning this principle during times of scarcity is essential because if we don’t, we may miss out on the miraculous life of purpose that God has in store for us when we have plenty.
A Loving, Miraculous King
How many of those who bore witness to His miracles continued to be His followers? How many chose to become His disciples? It appears that the number was not particularly large. Why might this be the case?
It’s likely because many failed to perceive the heart behind the miracles. God doesn’t perform miracles arbitrarily, for amusement, or merely because someone is acting in the right way or on their lucky day. His miracles serve a profound purpose: to showcase His kindness, power, and love, so that we, and others, may truly see Him. They are intended to guide us toward the greatest miracle of all – an inner transformation and a rescued heart.
Jesus hadn’t come solely to resolve all of the Jewish people’s earthly issues, to assume kingship in Jerusalem, and to address the Roman occupation. His mission was far more profound and transcendent.
Moving into multiplication and stepping out into the miraculous life of purpose God has for you is all about us knowing who it is who has saved us, and His heart to use us to show people the reality of Himself, to see them become Christ-followers and to see His Kingdom Advance!
