Signs & WondersSample

Miraculous Multiplication

Imagine with me for a second that you just bought some Chick-fil-a and showed up to a picnic full of starving humans. You notice though that you are the only one that brought any food. Some guy and his buddies come up to you at the picnic and decide to take your lunch, miraculously multiply your one meal into a ton of food, and use it to feed every last person at the picnic. Then, when everyone is filled to the brim, you see that there are still a dozen coolers full of leftover Chick-fil-a sandwiches and fries. Weird, right? But this is pretty much what happens in John 6:1-15. Jesus takes a young boy’s five loaves of bread and two fish, blesses it, multiplies it, feeding up to 5000 people, and has His disciples gather up 12 full baskets of food leftover.  

I don’t know about you, but if I were the boy, I would have been very hesitant to allow a complete stranger to take my lunch. But I'm sure the boy was more than pleasantly surprised to see that Jesus took what he had and used it to feed so many. 

Jesus is asking the same thing from you. He wants to use your “loaves and fishes”, our earthly possessions, wealth, gifts, time, etc., to bless others, give Himself glory, and ultimately leave you more fulfilled and satisfied than before. It’s very easy for anyone to hold tightly to what they own. But if Jesus can multiply a couple loaves of bread and two fish, imagine what He can do with your life! 

Not only does Jesus want to use your life to bless others, He wants you to be a part of the process, just as the disciples got to experience the joy and satisfaction of handing out the food to thousands of hungry people. You can trust that God never leaves His followers short-handed but is always faithful to provide and satisfy. When you trust God with your life, you can be confident that He will use you and do more than you could ever ask or imagine. If you are willing, God will take your metaphorical loaves and fishes--or whatever you have--and transform it into an abundant feast for multitudes to enjoy!

Questions to Ask Yourself  

1. What are your “loaves and fishes”?  
2. How can you develop an open mind and open hands regarding what you possess? Think not only of material things, but time and energy as well. 

What’s Next? 

1. Take some time to pray and ask God how He can use your time, talents, personality, and possessions to bless others with your life.  
2. Think of areas in your life where you can participate in the work God is doing in the world.