John 6:1-15 KJV
1 After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.
2 And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.
3 And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
4 And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.
5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
6 And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
7 Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little.
8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,
9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.
11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.
12 When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
13 Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.
14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

The book of John has very little information about his early ministry in it. However it does by chapter 6 has detail information about the year of opposition to his ministry, which is the third year of his ministry and his trip around Israel, before the cross. John is one gospel that is written for the gentile nation more then to the Jewish nation. It written so the Gentile nation could know about the cross of Jesus and his resurrection as well as the call of disciples after the resurrection to feed the lambs and the sheep. Today's lesson is about feeding the sheep literally as well as spiritually. The passover was the festival was bring many Jews toward Jerusalem. The crowd of people coming through came to Jesus. Jesus said to Philip do we have any bread. He did this to prove(test or strengthen) Philip in his spiritual journey of faith in him. Philip response there is no way to buy that much bread to feed this crowd, we have not enough money. Yet Andrew said here is a boy with five barley loaves of bread and 2 small fish. That was not enough in appearance to feed the crowd, but he had the crowd of 5000 men and he told them to sit down.

Five thousand is a lot of mouths to feed for 12 disciples. If you ever participated in a large gathering you know it possible to feed a lot of people if you have enough supply, but what if you do not have enough supply what are you going to do? I seen how little it takes to feed a small gathering where it did not look like enough was there to supply the meal for the people. Yet believe it or not there was just enough with food leftover everytime. However I never seen five thousand feed on two fish and five loaves of bread. Jesus began to break the bread and the fish and leftovers where collected in baskets from the meal he provided. This was a miracle. Supply came from the substance they had been given from one little boy. This type of miracle caused people to want to make him king. Christ compassion on the crowd and knew their hungry could not resist in providing for them. Yet he would depart to be alone because it was not his time for the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Do we struggle with the compassion of Jesus because if he had not feed the crowd they would never of known his power. Many believed he was at the least a prophet. Yet some even understood he was more then a prophet. This one act was not only to strength Philip faith but the other disciples as well. It takes faith to believe our God can do the impossible. It takes faith to believe God will supply all our needs.

Yesterday I was upset walking at looking at prices in the grocery store and even the discount store. Prices are effecting all of us I am pretty sure. I know for a fact that God supply is endless, when we trust, but most of us are lacking that faith. I was looking at my deep freezer and reminded my supply is not so narrow compared to some. And hardship really should not be in my vocabulary. When things have gotten tight as they often do in winter I seem to have been able to stock my shelves. I do not know if it was the first winter of my early adulting year, that I learned to figure out how to survive or if it was the second year I learn to survive as adult. I can remember one winter when my husband and I were down to one piece of wood. It was large enough if I could only get it into the stove, I could go get some coal to burn the rest of the week, but I had to make it through a real cold night and my husband was sick. I did not have adequate cutting tools for that piece of wood but I took what I had and cut on it til it fit. I laugh now looking back but it was enough to keep the fire going until morning. Those who experienced not enough to eat, a lack of electricity, gas, or whatever, know the value extra clothes and blankets. Yet those that never experience a harsh winter with not much heat will never understand the supply of God. What I talking about is God's supply in the storm comes in different forms. If you live to tell the story, then you know the supply was well meet. It getting to the other side of the storm that is the struggle. Man looks at supply and need by their eyes and what they see, God looks at supply what he knows will take you through the storm, and even have left overs.

Whether it is food, clothing, and so forth God supplies. We need to learn to seek God for his supply. One food bank shut completely down in our area I heard through the grapevine, I have not been able to check out the information. However that does not stop what God is able to do. We need to care for the sheep. We need to feed the lambs. Yet can we feed them when our own tank is running low, Jesus supply is endless but we see only two fish and five loaves. Why did Jesus provide leftovers, I often wonder about that. However I decided these baskets were taken with the people to feed their bellies on the road toward Jerusalem. That extra being for a purpose. What we might supply ourselves with may not be what God is going to supply you with. Hagar was even supplied with water from a well right in front of her and her son. Had she thought she seen a mirage, I do not know but water was supplied when she cried out to God.

God reminded me as I shopped and looked at prices that his supply will meet our needs and not my idea of supply. And to remember that is crucial for faith. Philip was learning about supply and that Jesus was able to provide. Philip story is told in Acts 8 of some of his missionary work but not much else is told. The supply of scripture as Queen of Ethiopian servant road in a chariot had to do with understanding who the prophet Isaiah was speaking about he was reading about. Philip told him it was about Jesus and how to be saved. He was then baptized. Philip continues on his journey spreading the Gospel of Jesus. Yet his ministry of him going knowing God would supply the words to share the testimony of Jesus onward through out his life.

Dear Heavenly Father your supply of food, clothing, shelter and especially your word is ample for the need to share care and teach. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Philippians 4:19-20 KJV
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.