THE TEST- John 6:1-15
(v.1-6) When I was in school I dreaded the infamous pop quiz. It is certain, as
a lifelong student in the Lord’s “School of Discipleship,” there will be a test!
Jeremiah 20:12a reminds us “the Lord tests the righteous.” Why does the
Lord test us? (1 Peter 1:7) “…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious
than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the
revelation of Jesus Christ.” In Christ there’s no such thing as a participation
trophies! He wants genuine believers; for only through genuine saints, can He
truly be glorified!
The disciples have been walking with Jesus for some time now, and here by
the Sea of Galilee, Jesus gives a “pop quiz.” God tests us to see what is in our
hearts; it’s not that He doesn’t know already, Peter declared in (Acts 15:8)
“God knows the heart.” But in testing us, He exposes the heart, so that we
can see what He already knows! As with many of the people in Jesus’ day,
many follow Jesus because of the signs (v.2), rather than the Savior!
(v.5b, 6a) The test given here is actually for all of His disciples, but in
particular Philip. God’s tests are customized – targeting areas that threaten
to diminish our intimacy and trust in Him. I believe this was the case with
Philip. Case in point: when certain Greeks came to Jerusalem to worship at
the Feast of Passover and said they wanted to see Jesus (12:21), Philip
seemed unsure of what he should say; he goes and tells Andrew and they
both go and ask Jesus. As with many of us, Philip possibly struggled with
insecurity, and doubt; but later on in his ministry that would change.
(v.7-9) Philip’s response here is according to human reasoning, rather than
faith. Like many of us, he has done the “math,” but has lost sight of the
Master! But could you blame him? A “denarii” was the daily wage of a
laborer. If we compare it to today’s wage of $10.00 an hour - $80.00 a day
times 200 days = $16,000.00 dollars; and still it would not be enough! From
Philip’s standpoint, this was impossible! He attempts to break it down for
Jesus, as we all tend to do, in order to educate the Lord; because obviously,
Jesus could not have fully grasped the entirety of the situation!
Andrew, who was also his ally in (12:21), further confirms Philip’s unbelief. In
Mark’s account, regarding the feeding of the five-thousand (Mark 6:35-37),
the disciples responded by saying: "…This is a deserted place, and already the hour is
late. Send them away…” But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat.”
In a “deserted place,” at a “late hour,” the Lord will often challenge our faith!
However, the reality is, we can only give what we have received from the
Lord – as the disciples will discover here.
Note: (v.6b) “Jesus knew what He would do!” God is never without a plan, in
the test. (v.10-13). There are four things Jesus knew He would do, revealed
here: 1) He called things into order. (v.10) Mark records the people sat
down in groups. As believers, when things become chaotic, remember God’s
order. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these other things will be added,” (Matthew 6:33).
2) He glorified the Father. (v.11a) Through thanksgiving. 3) He blesses above
and beyond. Twelve baskets full of leftovers. 4) He wasted nothing. (v.12b).
Even the fragments were gathered up for another use. Spiritually speaking,
it’s good to know God uses fragments; the broken pieces of our lives, He
“gathers up.” Romans 8:28 is testament to this very fact!
(v.14, 15) The people, again due to this miraculous sign, wanted to enthrone
Jesus; but His time, according to the Father’s will, had not yet come. Galatians
Not only was the birth of
Christ according to God’s schedule, but also His crucifixion; He wanted
nothing to do with keeping Him from His purpose in coming to die, to atone
for our sins! The hour in which He will be enthroned as King world-wide is
soon to come! Thus, the Lord retreats, to be alone with His Father. What a
great response, and a great reminder as servants of God. Being alone with
the Father helps us to maintain a healthy perspective. A true servant of Christ
will possess a greater desire for the closet, than the stage!
4:4 reminds us, “In the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son…”
APPLICATION: The tests of God are designed not to fail us, but embolden
us, when we observe what God can do! Jesus challenged Philip, because He
knew what His Father had placed in Philip! The test we face today is in
preparation for what God has ordained tomorrow! In testing Philip, Jesus
was not looking at Philip as he was, but the Philip he was called to be! Here
we see an indecisive, doubtful, Philip; but Jesus saw the Philip of tomorrow –
after the day of Pentecost, in Acts 8! This same Philip would become a great
evangelist, start a revival in Samaria, witness to a rich and powerful political
figure – an Ethiopian eunuch, whom he baptized in Christ; he would preach
throughout many of the cities in Judea, and father four virgin daughters, all
whom prophesied (Acts 21:9). Imagine dating in that family!
What sort of “pop quiz” are you facing today? Remember the testing of God
is not for your grief, but your good! Moses declared to the children of Israel,
(Deuteronomy 8:16) “…who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not
know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end.” All
that you’ve gone through, every “fragment,” God is able to use for your good
and His glory! Norma and I celebrated 41 years of marriage; and we whole-
heartedly attribute those 41 years to the fact that God knew what He would
do, and not according to what we have done!
CONCLUSION: Salvation is based on what Christ knew He would do, and not
upon what we can do or have done! He passed the ultimate test; becoming
the only real hope, and Savior for mankind! (2 Corinthians 5:21) For He made Him who
knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.