Jesus is Testing Your Faith (Trust the Impossible to Him)

“After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him (It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration). Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, ‘Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?’ He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do”
(John 6:1-6, NLT).

Jesus didn’t seem to be bothered about the pressure of the crowd (Luke 9:11 says, “He welcomed them”), his workload, and the hours consumed by teaching and healing. Understandably the disciples asked Jesus to stop, to send the crowd away (see Luke 9:12). They may have been genuinely concerned for the people – at least that’s what they expressed. On the other hand, they may have been tired, wanting to resume their close fellowship with just Jesus. Still, they did not see the crowd as Jesus did.

Philip would have known where to get food, if anyone had, because he was from Bethsaida (John 1:44), a town about nine miles away from where they were. Jesus was testing Philip to strengthen his faith. By asking for a human solution (knowing that there was none), Jesus highlighted the powerful and miraculous act he was about to perform. As in other tests, God allowed the test to occur, not expecting failure, but placing the person in a situation in which his or her faith might grow stronger. Jesus did not want Philip and the others to miss what was about to do.

So Jesus tested them all. Jesus knew the people were hungry; he knew the disciples’ resources were scarce and that they were far from any places for buying bread, even if they had the money. Did Philip and the others believe Jesus could actually feed all these people? Did they believe he could solve this problem? Or did they believe only in what they could see and touch – the physical realities of their situation? After administering the test, Jesus gave the answers (read on to John 6:7-13).

Think about this: We can limit what God does in us by assuming what is and what is not possible. Remember who Jesus is, his power and resources. Ask the Lord to help you trust him with every area of your life, even with financial, studies, relationships, tasks, or problems that seem impossible. Through all of these, Jesus wants to show his goodness and greatness. Trust the impossible to Jesus. Let your faith be increase and strengthen. May in all things, King Jesus be glorified. Amen.

THINK BIG. START SMALL. GO DEEP.