What Jesus Did! 'A Great Crowd of People' — John 6:5-7

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

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!"
— John 6:5-7 NLT

Key Thought

"Be careful what you pray for; you just may get it!" My experience with major outreach efforts of churches has been mixed. Some of them have gone bust - much prayer, planning, and effort with not much visible result. Others have seen such overwhelming and unanticipated response that we were left scrambling to handle all the "opportunities" that God placed upon us. Let's confess something about our plans to do great things for God: God already knows what he is going to do. The issue isn't God; it's our faithfulness. God can and will make us more than we are. [1] That's not only his promise to us; it's his track record through the centuries. So when presented with great opportunities, let's not resort to the greatest killer of all: "We can't." Instead, let's go to God and pray fervently for his guidance, our faith, and our willingness to work for his glory.

[1] Ephesians 3:20.

Today's Prayer

Father, you are God who is able to do far more than I can even dream. However, I confess that my abilities to execute challenging plans and see beyond my own limitations can make me hesitant to seize the great opportunities you place before me. Give me a clearer and broader vision of your will, your work, and your power. Give me a more willing heart to work hard and dream larger dreams. Do your work through me and surprise me with the results. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Who Gave You the Problem?
Article by Germana Gusmão Downing
Why do you have some problems? And where did they come from? You sought Christ for salvation and hoped your problems would at least get better. But, have you ever thought of him as someone who would give you even more problems to solve? After all, where do our problems come from, God or the devil? Ever since the en
I Doubt It: You Feed Them
Article by Phil Ware
Will we hold a miracle in our hands? My experience says, “Yes!” Phil Ware continues his series on 'I Doubt it' focusing this week on Jesus' challenge to the apostles to feed the five thousand.
Come As You Are
Article by Skye Noe
One story that shows God’s desire to empower us is when Jesus took five small loaves of bread and two fish to feed a large crowd. This is what constantly amazes me about the efficiency with which God is able to solve our problems. It's not that I have any doubt concerning his power to create solutions; it's just amazing that he completes His plans using us! God is a master at solv

Illustration

Illustration of John 6:5-7 NLT — "Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?" —— "Even if we worked for months, we wouldn't have enough money to feed them!"

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Festus Balks at the Resurrection' (Acts 26:24)
"[Paul had just shared his journey to faith that centered on the resurrection of Jesus.] Suddenly, Festus shouted, "Paul, you are insane. Too much..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'It Hurts when Your Own Family Attacks You'
"The Israelites told David what would be done for the man who would kill Goliath. When David’s oldest brother Eliab heard David talking with the..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Not to Us!' (Ps. 115:1)
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Revelation 1:13
""One like unto the Son of Man" appeared to John in Patmos, and the beloved disciple marked that he wore a girdle of gold. A girdle, for Jesus never..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!