Bread of Life - Pt 2

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus 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. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. (John 6:5-13 ESV). In the Old Testament, as we saw yesterday, God supplied His people with manna. They were hungry and He gave them something to eat. Here is a New Testament example of the same thing, God providing for His people. This is one of my favorite stories from the earthly ministry of Jesus. There is such a great message here for us today. Jesus had come into the world. He is the Savior, the Son of God, and was walking among the people. Times were different than in the Exodus. God's people now had incomes. Though the Roman government was in control, God's people still participated in the commerce of the day. The difference in this New Testament story and the Old Testament story we looked at yesterday is that in today's story they just didn't have any food with them. They had not planned on staying all day and they didn't bring a picnic lunch. In the Old Testament passage, the Israelites had no other means of support than God. They were in the middle of the wilderness. They had left the commerce of Egypt and were on their own. They had to trust God. They had no choice. I have experienced both scenarios in my life. I have had times where I had plenty, and really didn't have to depend on God, and then I have had times when I had nowhere else to turn except God. In either case, I can honestly say that God has met my needs regardless of what they were. What about you? Where are you at right now? Do you need all of God? Is He your only resort? Or are things pretty good in your life right now? All you really would like is a little picnic lunch. One thing is the same in the Old Testament passage and in the New: People need the Bread of Life. Whatever you need, wherever you are, God is able to make all grace abound to you. You can trust Him to supply your heart with that which will truly satisfy. The only key is trust! In bad times or good times trust Him. After all, He is the BREAD OF LIFE!