More Than Enough

- Pastor Samantha Barrera

“Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” - John 6:9 (NIV)

The miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is one of the most well-known stories out of the Bible. Jesus was retreating away from crowds to get some rest, but large groups of people recognized Him and ran to Him. Jesus had compassion on them and began teaching. Jesus didn’t see an interruption; He saw an opportunity. Then, as it began to grow late in the day, the disciples recommended sending the crowd away to find something to eat, but instead, Jesus instructed the disciples to feed them.

In the Jewish culture, men and women usually ate separately in public. The children would eat with the women. So when the bible tells us that there were 5,000 men, it is likely that there were between 10,000 and 15,000 people when you add in women and children. Can you imagine feeding a large crowd without food, resources, or money?

A child offered up five small barley loaves and two small fish, and Jesus performed a miracle. Everyone in attendance ate until they were full, with 12 baskets of leftovers.

We read this story, and we often need to remember about the boy, a seemingly insignificant character in this story.

Most of the time, we feel like what we have to offer isn’t enough. The disciples tried to work through a logical solution when there wasn’t one, but it was just a kid who offered a solution and allowed Jesus to work a miracle. The boy didn’t see his inadequacy or the insufficiency of a small meal, but he generously offered his little because Jesus asked. What was given at first seemed insufficient, but in Jesus’s hands, it was more than enough.

Make a Difference:

We are called to steward our time, treasures, and talents not how we think we should, not by our logic, but how God is telling us we should. Your lack of resources has nothing to do with God’s power. What do you have to give?

As You Read:

The miracles you’re reading about this week are easy to pass quickly. Don’t hustle through it; instead, focus on each miracle. Think about how you would feel if you saw it, knew who it happened to, or if the miracle happened to you.