Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up,
“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish,
but how far will they go among so many?”
John 6:8-9 NIV
Andrew once again brought someone to Jesus. First it was his brother Peter (John 1:40-42). Now it was a lad with some barley loaves and two small fish.
“The word for ‘lad’ is a double diminutive,
probably meaning ‘little boy’.”
Leon Morris
This child fascinates me. I have a picture of his encounter with Jesus on my desk. And lots of unanswered questions.
Was he really a small boy?
If so, was he alone in that great crowd, or with his parents?
If he was with his parents, did they approve of his gift? After all, they gave the lunch to him.
If they were there, did they also have food? Or had the family larder been cleared out and all that was left was just enough for a child?
Most of the people in the crowd followed Jesus for His healing and miracles. Is that why that family was there?
Andrew probably didn’t search the huge crowd for food. The boy must have come to him. What had the boy seen in Jesus that prompted him to come forward and offer his lunch?
Was Jesus waiting for this child to step forward?
What would have happened if he hadn’t come forward? Wait! I know the answer to that: God would have provided someone else. But the boy would have lost the blessing of participating in the miracle. Did he cherish that memory for the rest of his life?
The boy already had enough food for himself. But he gave what he had to Jesus and became the means for others to be fed. I wonder what would happen if we shared what we have, even if it’s insignificant?
“No act of kindness is too small.
The gift of kindness may start as a small ripple that over time can turn into
a tidal wave affecting the lives of many.”
Kevin Heath***
Put everything in God’s hands.
Leave everything in God’s hands.
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