What Are We Carrying That Can Be Given To Jesus?

Sermon Text: John 6:5-8

5 When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 6 He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Subject: What are we carrying that can be given to Jesus 

This passage offers profound lessons for us, both theologically and practically, about faith, generosity, and God's power to multiply our seemingly small offerings.

     When we read the entire story, we gain a  greater insight into the lived experience of the people during that time period. We come to know that many people were coming from all over the region in preparation for a great festival. Everybody loves a great festival. We also know that many people had heard about the good things Jesus was doing like healing the sick, giving  sight to the blind, raising the dead and even turning water into wine. So with all these people coming into town and thousands of them looking for Jesus, the Bible tells us that: 

5  Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” 

The majority of  people were at that time were very poor and hungry all the time.  

Jesus, knew that these people would be hungry, so he asked his disciples  “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”  

I must remind us to not forget about the omnisience of God. God is all knowing. So when Jesus asks a question it’s not because he doesn’t know the answer. Jesus is about to engage in a teaching moment for the disciples, everyone in attendance and for us today who ponder the powerful  truths in this story. Jesus wasn’t seeking a logistical solution; He was setting the stage for a demonstration of divine provision 

God’s omniscience is evident here. Jesus knew the answer but wanted His disciples to recognize their own limitations and the potential for divine intervention. This moment invites us to reflect on our own lives: How often do we face overwhelming situations and feel inadequate? Jesus challenges us to look beyond our limitations and trust in God’s provision.

7 Philip answered him, “It would take more than half a year’s wages[a] to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!”

Philip was more or less saying, I don’t know Jesus, there’s a lot of people here, and in order for them to get one bite of bread we would have to work for six months in order to have enough money to by bread for thousands of people. So the disciples  of Jesus, were resigned to the fact that they would be unable to meet the needs of the hungry crowd. They were paralyzed when when it came to offering a solution to the question presented by Jesus. 

Philip’s response highlighted the enormity of the need: "It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" This practical assessment underscores a common human reaction—focusing on what we lack

But the Bible says that Jesus:

6 asked this only to test them, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

But then 

8 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, 9 “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

Suddenly as we read this story we are introduced to another person in the story, a young boy. He had also heard about Jesus and was there to see for himself, if all that he heard about Jesus was true. And he was there to  enjoy the excitement of the festivals. I can imagine that He got up early in the morning, and his mother made him a lunch for him to take with him. She wrapped it up and put it in something, when I say something, be reminded there was no Tupperware, no sandwich bags, no aluminum foil, it was probably wrapped in cloth a homemade lunchbox, for him to be able to carry his lunch with him. He carried what his mother gave him,  and he goes out to enjoy the festival. This  young boy  finds himself in the midst of over five thousand people. This young boy fous his way to the front of the crowd, close to Jesus and his disciples. 

As he stood close to Jesus even this young boy recognized that that the disciples were overwhelmed with their inability to feed the crowd. He saw that they were good at recognizing problems, but they were unable to do anything about  when it came to offering solutions. (Side note: if you recognize a problem in the church, try to offer a solution) But unlike the disciples the little boy took what he was carrying, he took what his mother gave him and offered it to Jesus, The little boy was also aware of the problem but he wanted to be a part of the solution. So he took what was in his hands and gave it to Jesus. 

The boy in the story exemplifies courage and a willingness to participate in God's work. He didn't hold back his resources, though they were modest. His heart was in the right place, and he was eager to help. When we offer what we have, God can use it to create abundance. This story teaches us that our small contributions, when given with a willing heart, can have a significant impact.

It was a small offering but his heart was in the right place. In the hands of Jesus this small offering was transformed into a meal  that would satisfy  the hunger of thousands.

10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

It was a small offering but the young boys heart was in the right place. In the hands of Jesus this small offering was transformed into a meal  that satisfied the hunger of thousands.

So the relevant question for us today is: what are we carrying, what do we have that can be offered to Jesus:

 We know that  that we are all gifted by God in some way.

Romans 12 verses 6-8 

6We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith

 7if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

These gifts are not exhaustive but illustrative of the diversity of ways we can serve God and others. Perhaps you have the gift of compassion, wisdom, hospitality, or charity. Whatever your gift, God calls you to use it.

Note this list of gifts is not exhaustive. It doesn’t include all of the god given gifts.

Maybe you are gifted with compassion, gentleness, wisdom, hospitality, charity. 

What do we learn from this boy. THIS young boy was courageous, compassionate, and brave, HE had the desire to help,  he was willing to help, and he had a participatory role in this great miracle story. 

In the story we see a young boy who selflessly offers his lunch of bread and fish. Despite its apparent insignificance, Jesus takes this meager offering and transforms it into a meal that satisfies the hunger of thousands. This teaches us that no matter how small or seemingly insignificant our contributions may be, when placed in the hands of Jesus, our gifts can yield incredible results. Jesus took what seemed to be insufficient,  thanked God for it, and provided more than enough. Don’t let your lack of resources limit what God can do. We should offer prayers of thanksgiving for what we have, even  when it seems like not enough. 

When Jesus asked where they could get bread for the crowd, he didn’t ask how much it would cost, he was asking where it would come from.

Similarly, we are called to trust in God's provision, knowing that He can transform our gifts into blessings for many. This story challenges us to be brave, compassionate, and willing to make sacrifices for others. It reminds us that we have a role in God's plan to meet the needs of the world.

 This story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with a young boy’s lunch speaks directly to our lives.  It challenges us , teaches us and reminds us to trust in God’s provision, and to trust his transformative power and  to offer that which we have been gifted with.  The story reminds us to be compassionate, brave and willing to-make a sacrifice for the needs of people. It teaches us that today we also may have a participatory role when it comes to God meeting the needs of people. 

Reflect on the gifts you have been given. Ask yourself how you can offer them to Jesus for His use. Consider small acts of generosity, faith, and service you can undertake in your daily life. Trust that God can take what you offer and use it for His glory and the benefit of others. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the lessons we learn from Your Word. Help us to recognize the gifts You have given us and to offer them freely for Your work. Teach us to trust in Your provision and to have the courage to be part of Your miracles. May our small offerings be multiplied by Your power to meet the needs of many. In Jesus' name, we pray. May we embrace these lessons, carry them into our daily lives, always being mindful of serving others and having the courage to use our God given gifts for the betterment of humanity.

 Amen