This He was saying to test him, for He Himself knew what He was intending to do. (John 6:6 NAS95)
Jesus possessed an intentionality with developing His disciples that occurred in every setting of His life. One of those main themes, and a main theme of the Kingdom, develops dependence on God. A massive number of people sit before the twelve and Jesus, who asks some of His disciples where to buy bread for the multitude in front of them (5,000+). Philip and Andrew immediately looked for human or earthly resources. How true is this to our own experience? Andrew and Philip felt the need, had been invited to arrive at a solution, and quite naturally relied on what they knew, but that felt and looked insufficient even to them. What a teachable moment? The Father had gathered these people, and Jesus knows God both cares and is at work among them (John 5:17 ff).
What did Jesus, who knew God’s presence with Him, demonstrate? Dependence on the Father, as He prayed and gave thanks, and then asked His disciples to distribute the food. All ate to their full with some leftover. For the disciples, they just saw Jesus model both communion and reliance upon the Father. What a lesson! As to Jesus, He desires His disciples to look up, to pray, converse with God as the first thing they do when faced with any situation, not just limited resources. Jesus wants them to know the Father avails Himself to them as much as He does to Him. So Jesus intentionally developed in His disciples to depend on God. Prayer doesn’t just have a place in life, it reflects a life that knows God abides with us (Ps. 139). Jesus desired His disciples to rely on His Father, and conversation with Him, prayer, makes real that reliance.
For Reflection:
“In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” (Psalms 5:3 NAS95)
- What indicators do you see in your life that show you maturing away from reliance on self to reliance on God? What stories come to mind?
- As you reflect on your life, at what level is your habit of dependence upon God made visible in your conversations with Him? How intentional are you in developing this dependence in others?
