Page 61 - The Gospel of John - Student textbook

Second, be certain the challenge before you is to glorify the Lord, to obey one of His commands in Scripture, or
to help to fulfill a scriptural mandate (such as the great commission). The Lord never challenged His disciples to
demoralize them. The impossible task He gave to Philip did have a solution, albeit a supernatural one. And the
same is true with us. Jesus issued a command just before ascending to take His place in glory: to “make disciples
of all nations” (Matthew 28:19 – 20). Humanly speaking, this is an impossible task. He might as well ask us to dip
the Pacific Ocean dry with a teaspoon. It can’t be done… naturally. Nevertheless, if He has commanded
something, it can be done… supernaturally.

Third, give the challenge back to the Lord as an opportunity for Him to accomplish it on your behalf and to
receive glory for the victory. The Lord delights in accomplishing the impossible on our behalf and sharing the
spoils of victory, especially when the triumph is the result of obedience. How much pleasure Jesus would have
received if Philip had said, “Lord, this is far more than we can handle, but nothing is too difficult for You. How
will You feed this multitude?”

Fourth, do what you can, supply what you have, put forward your effort, then allow the Lord to multiply it (or
not) at His discretion. The Lord did not materialize food out of thin air – although He could have. Instead, He
used the meager lunch of an unassuming, inconspicuous little boy… and He multiplied it. Jesus doesn’t need
help. He can do anything and everything Himself. Nevertheless, he calls us to do our part – not for His sake, but
for ours. He invites us to become a part of His plan as a means of grace, so that when the victory is won, we can
say together, “We triumphed!”

By the end of the day, as the disciples gathered the surplus of food, the solution to the mathematical problem
was obvious. Jesus said, in effect, “You do the addition, I’ll take care of the multiplication, and everything I have
commanded you will be accomplished… with plenty left over.”

10 INCREDIBLE SUPERPOWERS of Jesus Christ that you should know about!!!

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