March 28, 2023

Two Boxes That Helped Growing Faith

“Then Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat down with His disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was near. Therefore Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat? This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.”

 John 6:3-6 (NASB)

I think there is a point in everyone’s life when there are struggles raising families. Sometimes it’s poor parenting skills. Sometimes it’s financial issues. These constrain a parent’s ability, to the extent of never knowing where the next meal might come. I have been in the latter of these two. When my wife and I were in our twenties, both of us worked full-time jobs. My wife’s income essentially paid for childcare or gas to work. Mine paid for monthly bills which came in like clockwork each month. One month we were struggling whether to tithe or pay bills. We were literally broke. We were learning the concept of tithing. God tested us one month. One night, I was really stressed about how to feed my family for the month. Then someone knocked on the front door. When I answered, two ladies from our church were holding two large boxes. The boxes contained food. They explained God had laid our family on their heart and they wanted to supply a need God shared. I remember breaking into tears (yes, even as a man). God answered and provided when funds failed… He tested our faith to help grow our faith.

“Jesus, lifting up His eyes and seeing that a large crowd was coming to Him, said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat? This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.” As Jesus looked down from the mountain at the approaching multitude, He was struck with compassion. Compassion for a crowd which wanted another healing service, not to hear Him. A. T. Robertson says, “The people were eager to hear Jesus again (Luke 9:11) and to get the benefit of his healing power “on them that were sick,” the weak or feeble, without strength.”[1] Out of compassion, knowing their needs, He spoke to Phillip. “Where are we to buy bread, so that these may eat? This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do.” Did you see that? Jesus “was saying to test him.” Jesus was both testing those who were coming, and Phillip as well. This testing was not in a bad sense of tempting that so often occurs. God cannot and will not test us to temptation which would cause sin. Look to your enemy for that kind of ploy. Jesus used this to teach and grow His disciples. He also would tend to the crowd’s need. Their need was not only to heal, but He knew they were hungry as well.

In today’s world, many of us are trying to share our faith with others. This often occurs when there are underlying needs in their lives. We need to be sensitive to these needs before we consider sharing the gospel. Many families today have great needs we need to consider while we are ministering the gospel message. Some may be hearing the gospel message while their stomachs are growling at the same time. I know ours was that night when the two ladies showed up at our front door. I still remember both ladies face who ministered to our immediate needs that night. By ministering to us, technically they too “lifted up their eyes,” and filled a vital need of ours. See the immediate need of others today, and you will build some lasting relationships!

[1] A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1933), Jn 6:2.