All of Jesus’ miracles were astonishing, but none demonstrated His creative power more impressively than the feeding of the multitude in John 6. No other miracle is recorded in all four gospels. And no other miracle affected so many people. Five thousand men were present (v 10), but counting the women and children, the number was likely more than fifteen thousand. John describes the event in fascinating detail, focusing first on the problem of INADEQUATE RESOURCES. “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” Jesus asks the question, not because He is perplexed, but because He is testing the faith of His disciples. Philip responds with calculator in hand, doing the math which only magnifies the problem. Meanwhile, Andrew is quietly moving among the crowd, looking for creative solutions. He finds one little boy with a sack lunch in his backpack. A conscientious mother had sent her son that day with five tiny loaves and a couple of sardines. “But what are they for so many?” Andrew’s faith is not much greater than Philip’s (v 1-9). With the disciples at a standstill, Jesus takes charge of the situation, and the problem of inadequate resources is resolved with an ABUNDANT PROVISION. As Creator of the universe, Jesus could have merely spoken a word to bring into existence a vast quantity of food. Instead, He chooses to use the simple lunch of a generous boy, gradually multiplying this donation until everyone has plenty to eat. In fact, the leftovers fill twelve baskets—one for each disciple, serving as powerful evidence that you can’t out-give God (v 10-13). Unfortunately, the display of Christ’s sufficiency is followed by a MISGUIDED ENTHUSIASM among the crowd. As Moses climbed a mountain and provided manna, Jesus had provided bread while “on the mountain” (v 3). Surely this was the greater Prophet that Moses said would come into the world! These people had shown up because they were interested in Jesus’ healing miracles (v 2). Now there’s a free lunch thrown in! “If He will heal our bodies and fill our stomachs too, then of course we’ll follow Him! Let’s make Him our king!” But this is not the gospel. Many people around the world today seek Jesus because they want His material blessings while remaining unchanged in their hearts. But how does Jesus respond to those expectations? He simply walks away from those who are trying to use Him. Jesus is not running for political office. He has a higher agenda. He is enroute to Calvary, and He will not be deterred by a premature coronation. First the cross, then the crown (v 14-15). For further meditation: