How to Escape "The Box"

Wednesday, May 18, 2011 Bryan Hudson 0 Comments

John 6:5 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?”

Jesus tested and challenged his disciples. He suggested something that seemed preposterous to the disciples when they first heard it. Jesus actually suggested that a whole multitude of people could be fed by a few men. This wasn't as simple as the "glass half empty or glass half full" scenario. For the disciples it was "no glass and almost no water."

The text states,  "He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do!" 
Remember that Jesus thinks big! When it comes to helping people, no challenge is too great and limited resources are no excuse.

Philip and Andrew were firmly planted "inside the box" of making excuses. Jesus wanted all His disciples--including you and me--thrown clear of such boxes by challenging them (and us) to do things that require faith and dependance on the creative power of God.

From which box or boxes do you need to escape? It is likely that Jesus will ask you to do something greater than you think possible.