Flesh vs Promise

Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. Philip replied, “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?” “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves. John 6:5-13.  We’ve all heard this story many times, but when I read it again, recently, something more struck me.  Jesus and his disciples had just made their way across the Sea of Galilee, about a 4 mile cruise. They had spent a full day preaching, and healing, so the enthusiastic throng pursued him eager for more.  Most of them had to travel around the lake on foot, about a 10-12 mile journey, but that didn’t discourage them.  In those days, people carried satchels in which they placed  fruit, bread, olives or dried fish. It had been a long day,  their rations were depleted, and they were physically hungry.  Jesus asked Philip first, because he was from the area, where they could get some provisions. Philip surveyed the masses, checked  his thin wallet, and from his flesh answered, “It ain’t possible!”  And he was correct, humanly speaking.  Then Andrew brought over a boy with a meager amount of food.  He had his doubts, as well, but he’d just been witness to Jesus in action, so he held to the promise of increase.  See the difference?  Our flesh tells us something is impossible, and it is.  Jesus promises us that it can be done.  The conflict between the flesh and the promise, can only be overcome by faith.  Indeed what happened, when Jesus gave thanks, was miraculous, filling the expectant crowd until they were sated.  What are you expecting God to do?  Are you stuck in your flesh?  Bring what you have, no matter how small, or unattainable to Jesus, and have faith that he will accomplish the impossible!