“The Fourth Sign: Two Fish” - John 6: 1-13 - Devo

March 6th, 2016

Devotional

“The Fourth Sign: Two Fish” - John 6: 1-13

Keep the sermon topic and Biblical text preaching all week by following Pastor Michelle on twitter @tinypastor and reading her sermon blog www.revmichelle.blogspot.com

Monday: “He’s Coming!” - John 6: 1-4

Have you ever been excited at the news that someone you’ve heard of was going to be stopping near you? Perhaps it was a singer who was going to be at the Bryce Jordan Center. Or an author who was coming to Barns and Noble. Or a pastor who was coming to one of the churches near by. You heard this person was coming and you would travel whatever distance it took to be in their presence.

That is how some folks felt when Jesus came to a nearby town. The farther we travel into the Gospel of John, the more well known Jesus is becoming. People are starting to flock to wherever he is in order to learn from his wisdom and perhaps even experience a miracle or two of their own.

In today’s scripture passage so many people have shown up on the farthest shore of the Sea of Galilee that Jesus had to position himself on a mountainside so people could see and hear him. While we do not know the hearts of all who were seeking to be in the presence of Jesus that day, we do know that by the end of their time with Jesus their hearts would be touched. 

How far would you go to be in the presence of Jesus Christ? 

Prayer: Lord, give us the passion to seek to be in your presence daily. Use our time with you to transform our hearts from the inside out so that we can be sent to tell others of your Kingdom. Amen. 

Tuesday: “Where’s the Bread?” - John 6: 5-7

Poor Philip. Jesus looked out on the crowds and asked him how they were going to buy bread for all of the people present that day on the mountainside. Philip, like many of us, didn’t recognize that Christ was testing him, and instead immediately began to calculate how much it would take to feed the people around him. His answer is perhaps also similar to many of ours, too much.

We live in a culture that tells us that we need to have a lot in order to make a difference in the world - a like of time, a lot of talent, a lot of money, a lot of resources. We forget that God can take whatever little we have and can multiple it exponentially. At my last parish, a very small group of us went on a mission trip to York, PA - by very small I mean myself and two others. While we were volunteering on a mission to help build home, we also didn’t have much skill in that particular area. However, we felt like God was still calling us to go, so we went. While there, we found that God used the little we had - in terms of people and talent - in order to touch three different families in the course of a week. More than we ever thought possible. Simply because we showed up. 

Tell of a time God used the little you had to offer to touch different people’s lives. 

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you didn’t think there would be enough but God provided? 

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for the times we have thought that we have not enough or not are enough to be used by God. Teach us, O Lord, that your ways are not our ways, and you can take what we have to offer, and can transform it for your glory. Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Fish and Bread” - John 6: 8-9

While Philip blatantly doubted that the disciples would have enough to feed the crowd, Andrew seemed to also doubt, by asking how far the small offering of five small loaves and two fish could really go. The problem seemed too big and what was being offered seem too little.

After college, I spent eight month volunteering at the local women’s shelter. It came to my attention that one of the residents, who was expecting her first child, did not have anything for her new baby - not a single bottle or diaper. I presented the problem to the church I was serving at the time as an intern and asked if they could help. At first, there were questions about how much one congregation could help in the face of such great need. But the response that we got was enough items to help several women in similar situations. God took what was offered and multiplied it, even in the face of some asking if it truly would be enough. 

In God’s economy, 2+2 does not equal 4. What do you do when God’s economy does not add up in your mind but results in miracles? 

What are your “two fish” that you need to give to God and trust they will be multiplied? 

Prayer: Lord, we hand over our two fish, whatever they may be this day, and ask that your will be done. Ask that your provide for others out of our gift. And then we simply wait for you to act, however, you will, in your timing, O Lord, as an act of trust and obedience. Amen. 

Thursday: “Give Thanks” - John 6: 10-11, Jer 32:17

Before Jesus multiple the offering of loaves and fish to feed the crowd, he gave thanks. What does giving thanks look like in your life?

When we were little we learned a very simple prayer. As we got older we gave thanks to God in different ways, but it was around the dinner table that we first learned to be thankful.

Some of the purest prayers of thankfulness I have ever heard were over simple meals in Taize, France. Taize is a community were young people from around the world gathered for a week of prayer together. Our meals were simple - a piece of fruit and hot chocolate and some bread for breakfast - but for some of the brothers and sisters I met from other parts of the world - the simple meal to me was a true feast for them. They could eat until they were filled and they praised God for the gift they have received. How do you model being thankful no matter what your circumstances or how much you have (or don’t have)?

How do you give thanks and count your blessings?

Is there something you need to praise God for that has not happened yet?

Prayer: O God, sometimes we need a reminder that our cup truly does overflow with blessings. Blessings that we have not earned, O Lord, and can never truly repay you for. We can only humbly praise you and say thank you! Thank you, O Lord! Amen. 

Friday: “Left Overs” - John 6: 12-13, Luke 6: 38

In God’s economy nothing goes to waste. We are told in today’s scripture lesson that there were twelve baskets of bread left over after all had their fill. There aren’t any talents, gifts, or resources God has blest you with that are to lie dormant or be dismissed. Everyone has something to offer God for Kingdom purposes. What does God want you to offer this day, that you have cast off in the past? 

What do you do when the will of God doesn’t add up? Do you default to logic or do you believe God will multiply?

How do you remind yourself that you cannot out give God?

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where what God is calling you to do does not add up? How did you respond?

Prayer: God, help us see our time, talents, and resources as you see them - not by comparing ourselves to others and thinking that we do not have enough, but instead seeing all that we have as a blessing from you to be used for your Kingdom! Amen. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

You are invited to read and pray this week’s text and topic: “Walking on Water” - John 6: 16-21

Family Activity: Keep a gratitude journal. What are the things that you are thankful for? What is happening in your life that is a blessing from God? What is one thing (at least) you can praise God for today?