The Test

He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 
Text: John 6:1-15

You know you are doing ministry when the needs and demands drive you to Jesus.

When Jesus saw the large crowd heading their way, He tested Philip by asking where they should go to buy food for the multitude (vv. 5-6). Phillip failed the test. Rather than seeing this as a faith test, his mind went to math. He quickly calculated the cost of feeding the crowd.

Once Jesus fed the 5000, the sign led the crowd to believe Jesus was "the Prophet" and desired to force Him into being king. The crowd failed the test. Jesus was not the king they wanted or expected. They would follow Jesus as their king as long as he did what they wanted, as long as he overthrew Rome. This event would be the climax of Jesus' popularity among the multitudes. They began to realize Jesus would not be their puppet.

Many people "love" Jesus as long as they think he will fix their problems and "be there" for them by coming through with supernatural assistance whenever they need it. They don't want a king. They want to be king and control their life and Jesus' role is to make it happen.

Jesus will test your faith. He places His children in situations and ordains ministry challenges so we might come to the end of ourselves and run to Him! We can't see exactly what God is doing but we must trust He is working for His glory and His eternal purposes. We must trust He has a loving purpose in the hardships of life and His purposes are beyond our ability to fathom and understand. We must learn to trust when we don't understand.

• Will you reach out for grace to trust God as you jump into the mess called ministry?
• What desires, skills, and abilities has God given you to use for His glory and the gospel?
• If you offer nothing to God, He will have nothing to use.
• Jesus can take your little and make it much. Do something!