May 18, 2014: Jesus is My Example / Do You LikeTests?

John 6:1-21

Amplified Bible (AMP)

6 After this, Jesus went to the farther side of the Sea of Galilee—that is, the Sea of Tiberias.

2 And a great crowd was following Him because they had seen the signs (miracles) which He [continually] performed upon those who were sick.

3 And Jesus walked up the mountainside and sat down there with His disciples.

4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was approaching.

5 Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat?

6 But He said this to prove (test) him, for He well knew what He was about to do.

7 Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennies’ (forty dollars) worth of bread is not enough that everyone may receive even a little.

8 Another of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,

9 There is a little boy here, who has [with him] five barley loaves, and two small fish; but what are they among so many people?

10 Jesus said, Make all the people recline (sit down). Now the ground (a pasture) was covered with thick grass at the spot, so the men threw themselves down, about 5,000 in number.

11 Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples and the disciples to the reclining people; so also [He did] with the fish, as much as they wanted.

12 When they had all had enough, He said to His disciples, Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces that are left over), so that nothing may be lost and wasted.

13 So accordingly they gathered them up, and they filled twelve [small hand] baskets with fragments left over by those who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

14 When the people saw the sign (miracle) that Jesus had performed, they began saying, Surely and beyond a doubt this is the Prophet Who is to come into the world!

15 Then Jesus, knowing that they meant to come and seize Him that they might make Him king, withdrew again to the hillside by Himself alone.

16 When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea,

17 And they took a boat and were going across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and still Jesus had not [yet] come back to them.

18 Meanwhile, the sea was getting rough and rising high because of a great and violent wind that was blowing.

19 [However] when they had rowed three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and approaching the boat. And they were afraid (terrified).

20 But Jesus said to them, It is I; be not afraid! [I Am; stop being frightened!]

21 Then they were quite willing and glad for Him to come into the boat. And now the boat went at once to the land they had steered toward. [And immediately they reached the shore toward which they had been slowly making their way.]

There are times we are being tested by God. 

5 Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat?

6 But He said this to prove (test) him, for He well knew what He was about to do.

And He expects us to step out blindly on sheer faith. All the while listening. And believing. It's simply a test! 

I remember one time at our Revival Ridge Family Night, we bought pizzas. I dont remember how many we bought. We spread the word in the community that we had pizza and, omgoodness, people kept coming! We prayed that God would multiply the pizza just like He multiplied the loaves and fishes. Well, He did! I just kept on handing out pizza and it never ran out! Our faith is soooooo limited. Most of the time we fail His faith tests miserably. But thankfully, He keeps urging us to believe for the impossible! 

"Jesus, my eyes are downcast much of the time. I see only what is right in front of me. Through my limited, human sight. But You want me to lift up my eyes to Your VAST unknown! Thank You for revealing this to me today! You have unsearchable riches for me! Just sitting there waiting for me. I only need to rise earlier and sit in Your presence longer. If I believe it, I will receive it! If I can dream it, You will do it! Why? Because You are the Giver of Dreams!!! I desire to pass Your tests: the "Dream" test, the "Faith" test and any other tests You have for me with flying colors!!! Thank You, Jesus!!!"