Hi
Often, when reading the Bible, I find myself asking questions. There isn’t always rhyme or reason for the question, just something – a word, a phrase; that catches my attention. Today’s Holy Nougat offered two.
“Then Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up. “There’s a young boy here with five barley loaves and two fish. But what good is that with this huge crowd?”” John 6:8-9 NLT
I’m curious – what jumps out at you in this reading? (Please please share; I’m a lot curious).
For me, it is Andrew’s response –
A. How did he find out what the boy had and
B. Why is he grumbling about it
In A; I had some interesting thoughts; was that the regular routine, identify the persons who carried food. Then I wondered if it was offered or appropriated by the disciples. And how Andrew found him (especially in light of the disciples’ approach to children in another story). And then I checked for its value to the here and now.
And as I pondered, B spoke to me – did the boy think he would even smell his fish and bread again, or had he offered it in expectation of a total miracle? In John 4; the disciples had gone food shopping – was it their regular practice to walk without food? And if so, was food normally offered in exchange for their visit (we’re talking about at least 13 men here!)?
You see, the issue in today’s Holy Nougat is about expectation and preparation. When we embark on an adventure with God, we travel with certain expectations and prepare accordingly. The disciples expected that they would eat. By the time the crowd got to that size; at least TWO of the disciples attempted to make preparations for food – not only for themselves, but also for the crowd.
Do we consider those like us and try to share when there are limited resources; or do we squirrel it away for fear that it cannot meet everyone’s needs?
Again, that brings us to expectations; for if we share; perhaps we’re expecting them to reciprocate or God to come through. And, when we squirrel away; are we expecting things to get worse or are we simply selfish?
Finally, I also try to imagine myself in the scene – am I the hungry bystander, the boy, his parent or the disciple? How does that impact my expectations of God and my subsequent preparations for our other adventures.
Happy reflecting … and
Good morning In Christ’s love and grace . . .
