Dear Christian friends:

Did you have any troubles or problems this past week? I think you probably did. When we have a big problem or trouble we often complain and sometimes despair. We ask, "Why does God give me so many problems and troubles?" We desire a comfortable and peaceful life.

In our text we see that Jesus' disciples had a big problem. Jesus gave them this big problem, and our text says that He gave it to them to test their faith. (verse 6) Jesus was teasing them to see what they would do to strengthen their faith, same as a father teaches his son.

Jesus also gives us big problems or lets troubles happen to us to test our faith and to help our faith grow stronger. We need these tests. They are good for us to prepare us for God's future plans for our life.


When we have big problems and troubles we often limit ourselves to human possibilities and solutions and thus fail to have faith in God.

Jesus asked Philip, "Where can we buy bread that these people may eat?" Philip only thought about human possibilities and they seemed weak and small. He thought about the many, many people gathered there, more than 5,000 people! He thought about the small amount of money the disciples had in their treasury, 200 denari, about $50.00, and he knew that $50.00 would not buy enough bread for so many people. So Philip and the other disciples asked Jesus to send the people away so that they can go back to the villages around to buy bread for themselves. But Jesus answered, "You feed them." (Mark 6:37) Jesus wanted them to have the problem and to find a solution. But they failed the test. They thought only of their own resources and possibilities.

We often are like them, we depend only on ourselves. We depend only on our own strength and money. When we have good times and success we are proud and pat ourselves on the back and boast. When we have bad times and troubles we complain, worry and despair.

We, like these disciples, fail to depend on Jesus. We, like them, know about Jesus' great power and ability to help in every need and we know that Jesus loves us and desires to help us in our needs. But we forget Him or doubt that he will help us in our troubles and needs.

We often fail Jesus tests because we depend only on ourselves and earthly things. We can pass Jesus' tests, if we look to Jesus and depend on Him. We need to have faith in His wonderful power and love.

Here in our text Jesus shows that He is the Son of God, the Christ, who can help us in any trouble or problem, even in the hour of our death.

When the disciples failed His test Jesus took control of the problem. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fishes which a little boy had. He prayed and blessed that little food and then multiplied it 1000 times so that the large crowd of people had plenty to eat. By this sign (miracle) Jesus intended to show the disciples and all the people that He is the almighty Son of God become Man.

Jesus wanted them to be attracted to Him, not to the miracle. John writes about Jesus' miracles and why He did them. He says,"And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ (Promised Savior), the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." (John 20:30-31) Explain “sign” as opposed to a "miracle".

The people, who ate the bread that Jesus multiplied knew Jesus was the Christ. (verse 14) They understood the sign, but they misunderstood the person and work of Christ.

They, like most Jews, expected Christ to be a man, a king to give them earthly riches, comforts and glory, such as King David and Solomon. They did not expect the Christ to be the Son of God who must die on the cross for their sins. They wanted a king only for this life on earth; they were not interested in a spiritual King and external life in heaven.

They tried to force Jesus to become their king so that in the future they would have an easy comfortable life under His rule. Jesus refused to be such a king (verse 15) He is not a "Bread King," but He is the "Bread of Life". Later on Jesus said to these people, "I am telling you the truth, he that believes in Me has eternal life. I am the Bread of Life." (verses 47-48) Jesus did this miracle and many others as signs to lead to Him, the Son of God and Savior for sinners who gives eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Jesus gives us "signs" also in our times of troubles and problems. As He fed these 5,000 people in their need, so He feeds us and gives us all that we need for our body and life. In every trouble and need He is near to hear our prayers and to help us. He has done this for us many times in the past! Remember how Jesus helped you in that time of trouble or how He gave you health again! These are His "signs" to us to lead us to believe in Him and trust Him, not only for bread, clothes and health, but chiefly for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.

Also remember that Jesus has our future planned. He knows before it happens what He will do for us in time of trouble, the same as He knew before it happened that He will multiply the five loaves of bread and two fishes to feed 5,000 people. When Philip and the other disciples were worrying and wondering how to feed the people Jesus already had the plan. (verse 6) While Jesus is testing us and we are afraid He already has the plan to help us or save us. And His plan and answer to our problem is always good, the best.

Jesus greatest sign for us is His death on the Cross and His arising from death on Easter morning! When our sins trouble us and blame us, when we are sick and dying and none on earth can help or save His Cross is there which guarantees to us forgiveness of sins, and His resurrection guarantees eternal life and resurrection for us! (John 6:40)

So when you have big troubles and problems even in the hour of death don't despair, but look to Jesus the Son of God and your Savior! Jesus never fails!

Amen.