Reading John 6 recently, I only made it 6 verses in. A crowd had gathered around Jesus…
When Jesus looked out and saw that a large crowd had arrived, he said to Philip, “Where can we buy bread to feed these people?” He said this to stretch Philip’s faith. He already knew what he was going to do.
He already knew.
Then why’d he ask? To stretch Philip and the faith he held.
I love the image of Jesus that this verse depicts in my mind. Jesus is the Playful Pusher–I’ll bet he smiled as he asked that question, fully aware of how it would make Philip’s wheels spin. I suspect he took pleasure in the knowledge that his disciple’s mental processor was not going to handle what he was loading into it.
And that brings me a sense of pleasure.
Because I need a Master who demands more of me than what I’m currently capable of, and I need a Lord who knows my limitations enough that he can lovingly meet me on the borders of who I should be, but am not yet.
Once again, I’m reminded that he is truly good to me.
This is something worth thinking about at this time of the year. I read this post at just the right time. Frustrated over arguments about postmodern church and where this whole thing is headed. It is nice to step back and relax in the fact that He already knows. It makes me want to do His kind of work here and now; across the street. Never mind the worldwide church. Thank you.