Jesus doesn't provide "enough." - john chapter six
/This post is part of a weekly share of gleanings from the book of John. Click here for more information, and read to the bottom to join the conversation!
John 6:8-13
"One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten."
John 6:16-21
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.
My head has been a little stuck in a couple of really tough weeks.
There have been tears... and worries... and frustrations...
And when I haven't known what to pray, or how to stop crying, or where my actual sanity is... God has reminded me of these truths in John 6... that Jesus didn't just provide enough bread for the 5,000. He provided an abundance of bread! ...and friends, Jesus doesn't just give bread... Jesus IS the bread (John 6:35). Jesus gives the fullness of Himself in abundance. Grace upon grace upon grace.
...and He has reminded me that Jesus didn't just walk on water in order to calm a storm. He came to a place where nobody thought He could possibly be --three or four miles out, in the darkness, in a storm-- and He got in the boat! Friends, Jesus doesn't just calm storms, He gets in the boat with us, He brings the fullness of His presence in abundance. Grace upon grace upon grace....
...and my heart finds comfort in those truths.
Yes... totally still crying, but deeply grateful to be loved by a God who is always present, even when I least expect Him... and who is always providing the abundant grace of His fullness: "the food that endures to eternal life." (John 6:27)
I pray that His words bring comfort and peace to your hearts as well, as you look ahead to whatever the day and week may bring. Soak up His fullness, friends... the abundance of His grace upon grace.
“And now I have done another miracle for you. I have shown you that in the dark, in the storm, I will let nothing separate me from you. I will walk on water to be with you. And when you take me into your boat with joy, we will arrive at our desired haven.
So whether the story is about being rescued from hunger by making bread, or being rescued from wind by walking on water, the point is: I don’t just give bread; I am bread. I don’t just make the wind stop; I get into the boat.”
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