Jesus, somewhat mischievously, has asked His disciples how they are going to feed an ever increasing crowd of people that have come to witness, and receive, the healing that Jesus was offering as He proclaimed and demonstrated the Kingdom of Heaven come.
Why this roguish request?
Well, we know from John 6:6 that Jesus already has in mind what He is going to do. How would those around him respond?
Five loaves. Two fish.
Andrew, one of the twelve disciples, spots a young boy with a simple lunch of five loaves and two fish. Unsure how this could actually help the situation, he brings these morsels to Jesus anyway.
Five loaves. Two fish.
This kid. Surrenders what he had. Was it because Andrew’s request was something he didn’t feel he could say “no” too? Was he compelled to do whatever little he could to contribute towards a potential solution? Was he, well, simply scared?
Five loaves. Two fish.
I’ve been pondering a lot about our Vineyard journey. It has been said of us often, and frankly, continues to be said, that we are a movement that “punches above its weight class.”
Five loaves. Two fish.
We can at times feel like the kid on the side-lines with not much to bring into the mix. Yet, what is in our hands continues to be recognized by others as something that needs to be brought to the hands of Jesus for the sake of all, even if there is the feeling, like Andrew, “how far will [this actually] go among so many?”
Five loaves. Two fish.
We’re still here. Still an AVC. There is something in the winsome, compelling call upon our “loaves and fishes movement that keeps us showing up to serve. An awareness that we still have something to contribute to the cause of Christ in Canada, around the world and within our Global Vineyard family.
Five loaves, Two fish.
It is time to step up. To step out again, not overly concerned about what we have, or don’t have, and contribute. To respond to the Andrew’s who see us. To release what we have into the hands of Jesus. To celebrate provision that comes from the simplicity of contentment and surrender, knowing that Jesus has all of us in the scope of his care.
As John reminds us, Jesus already knows what He’s up to, but how will we continue to show up? How will we step forward? How will we open our hands and give? Again.
Five loaves. Two fish.
Enough to play our part. Enough in the hands of Jesus. Just enough.