“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”

Jesus asked this question of Philip with 5,000 hungry men (likely closer to 10,000 people in total) standing by. As John 6:6 says, “He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what he was going to do.”

I realize that what Jesus was doing was testing Philip’s spiritual imagination.

The problem is, that as much as Philip had already seen Jesus perform in the way of signs, wonders and miracles, he was still bound to the physical construct in his mind. He lacked the spiritual imagination to dream of the solution.

Philip’s response reflects this as he immediately jumps to the natural solution, going to the market to buy what would be required. His position, based on this faulty logic, arrived to only one conclusion. It’s impossible.

After the people were fed on that day I wonder if Jesus had a follow up conversation with Philip…..

I can imagine Him saying something to the effect of, “Hey Philip! This wasn’t the first time I’ve done something like this. My Father has a long history of sustaining His people, even through the multiplication of food. Remember, that when you face a problem, even one that seems impossible, that ALL things are possible in Me!”

When we pray, it is important for us to remember that all things really are possible with God.

Of course, first and foremost we should pray His perfect will as we can never go wrong in doing so.

However, our prayers and petitions are without limitation! Not only can God do it, He has set a precedence of providing for His children in otherwise impossible circumstances.

Father, I thank You that You are a good Father.

In Your word You say that even an evil father will give good gifts to their children.

How much more would You give to Your who simply ask?

I ask that You would remove from me the scarcity mentality that sees only the finite and is bound to the laws of science and physics.

Instead I choose to believe that You are capable of all things and what’s more, You work the impossible on behalf of Your children as it is Your good pleasure to do so.

Thank You, Jesus, for demonstrating these things that I may understand them.”

 

~ Mitch Salmon

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Mitch Salmon is the founder of Fisher of Men Productions and a follower of Jesus Christ and proclaimer of the Good News – The Gospel of Christ Jesus!

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